The Gingerbread Man is a classic children’s story that has been passed down for generations. Kids love the story of the little cookie that comes to life and runs away from all the animals who try to catch him. But did you know that there are also several songs inspired by this beloved tale? In this recipe blog post, we’ll show you how to make your own gingerbread man cookies while singing along to some catchy tunes.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in batches, mixing until just combined.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 105mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 9g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 50-60 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread man cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
These gingerbread man cookies are perfect for holiday parties, school events, or just as a fun activity to do with kids. Serve them with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa.
Variations:
You can add extra flavor to your gingerbread man cookies by adding chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the dough. You can also decorate your cookies with icing, sprinkles, or candy for a festive touch.
Substitutions:
- You can use margarine instead of butter if you prefer.
- Dark corn syrup can be used instead of molasses.
- If you don’t have ground cloves, you can use allspice instead.
Storage:
Store your gingerbread man cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough or your cookies will be tough.
- Dust your rolling pin and surface with flour to prevent sticking.
- Let your cookies cool completely before decorating them with icing or other toppings.
Notes:
Feel free to experiment with different spices and flavorings to make these cookies your own. You can also double the recipe if you need to make a larger batch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What can I use if I don’t have a gingerbread man cookie cutter?
- Can I freeze the cookie dough?
- Can I use honey instead of molasses?
You can use any cookie cutter shape you like, such as stars, hearts, or circles.
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and seal it in a freezer bag.
Honey can be substituted for molasses, but it will change the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Personal Thoughts:
This gingerbread man cookie recipe is not only delicious, but it’s also a fun way to get kids excited about baking. Singing along to the gingerbread man songs while making the cookies adds an extra layer of fun to the experience. I highly recommend trying this recipe out for yourself and sharing it with your friends and family.
Summary:
This gingerbread man cookie recipe is easy to make and perfect for the holiday season. The cookies are soft and chewy with just the right amount of spice. Singing along to the gingerbread man songs while making the cookies adds an extra layer of fun to the experience. Store them in an airtight container or freeze them for later. Enjoy!
Try it out for yourself and have some fun singing along to the gingerbread man songs!