Description
Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies: A nostalgic holiday favorite featuring soft, tender centers and warming spices. Rich molasses, brown sugar and a kiss of ginger, cinnamon and cloves create depth and aroma, while a light royal icing adds festive shine. Roll, cut into cheerful shapes, bake just until set, and enjoy cookies that stay chewy the next day. Perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights by the fireplace with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- Royal Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg white or 2 tbsp meringue powder mixed with water
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes to make rolling easier.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
- Place cookies on baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes until set but soft.
- Cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
- Decorate as desired with royal icing once cookies are fully cooled.
Notes
- Chill dough for 30 minutes to make rolling easier and maintain shapes during baking.
- Do not overbake; aim for just-set cookies for a soft, chewy texture.
- Royal icing dries to a smooth finish; you can adjust consistency with a drop of water or powdered sugar as needed.
- Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies, Gingerbread Cookies, Soft Gingerbread Men, Molasses Cookies, Holiday Cookies