Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies
Soft, spiced gingerbread men with cozy molasses richness and a tender, chewy bite. Perfect for decorating, gifting, and holiday cookie trays.
Pin This Recipe For Later!
Share The Yum On Facebook
Print
Servings:
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.67 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 0.5 cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2.75 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.25 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 2.5 tsp ground ginger
- 1.25 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.38 tsp ground cloves
- 0.13 tsp finely ground black pepper optional, for warmth
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour for dusting the surface
- 1.5 cup powdered sugar optional, for simple icing
- 1.5 tbsp milk optional, for simple icing
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract optional, for simple icing
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Cream softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- Add dry ingredients in two additions, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
- Lightly flour the surface. Roll one disk to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut gingerbread men, transferring shapes to prepared sheets 1 inch apart. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Bake until set at the edges but still soft in centers, 8–10 minutes. Rotate pans halfway.
- Cool cookies on the sheet 5 minutes, then move to a rack to cool completely.
- For icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust with drops of milk as needed.
- Pipe or drizzle icing on cooled cookies. Let set before storing.
Notes
For extra chew, pull cookies when the centers still look slightly soft and let them finish on the sheet. Try orange zest in the icing, or swap 2 tbsp molasses for maple syrup for a mellower spice profile. Store airtight up to 5 days or freeze undecorated cookies for 2 months.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.