Who doesn’t love the story of The Gingerbread Man? The tale of a spunky cookie who comes to life and outruns all of the animals who want to eat him is a classic favorite. But did you know that you can actually make your very own gingerbread men at home? Not only is it a fun activity to do with your family, but you’ll also have a delicious treat to enjoy at the end. So, put on your apron and get ready to bake!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Add the molasses and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes.
- Place the gingerbread men on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges.
- Let the gingerbread men cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 gingerbread man
Calories: 130
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 105mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 11g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Mixing spoon
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions
Gingerbread men are perfect for decorating with icing and candy. You can also serve them with a cup of hot cocoa or apple cider for a cozy winter treat.
Variations
If you want to switch things up, try making gingerbread women, houses, or other shapes. You can also add in some chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture.
Substitutions
- You can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.
- Instead of molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup.
- If you don’t have ground cloves, you can omit them or use a pinch of nutmeg instead.
- If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe.
Storage
Store your gingerbread men 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 you start mixing your dough.
- Refrigerating the dough for 1 hour will make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
- Don’t overbake your gingerbread men or they will become hard and crunchy.
Notes
This recipe makes about 20-24 gingerbread men, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll it out and bake.
Can I use this recipe to make gingerbread houses?
Yes, this recipe works well for making gingerbread houses. Just make sure to roll out the dough a bit thicker and bake for a few extra minutes.
Yes, you can make the dough a bit thicker and bake for a few less minutes to create soft gingerbread cookies instead of crispy gingerbread men.
There’s something special about making gingerbread men during the holiday season. It’s a fun activity to do with your family and the end result is a delicious treat that everyone can enjoy. This recipe is easy to follow and the gingerbread men turn out perfectly every time. I love decorating them with icing and candy and serving them with a warm drink. Give this recipe a try and create your own gingerbread man story!