Name: Gingerbread Men
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking soda; 1 tbsp ground ginger; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 2/3 cup molasses; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Royal icing or sugar icing (for decorating); Assorted candies or sprinkles (optional)

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These Gingerbread Men cookies are a timeless holiday treat — soft, spiced, and full of that classic molasses flavor that fills my kitchen with warmth and nostalgia. I love baking them around the holidays because they’re fun to decorate, make perfect gifts, and taste just as good as they look.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between chewy and crisp. The dough is easy to roll and cut into shapes, and the aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves always makes me feel festive. I also enjoy how customizable they are — I can make them soft and thick or thin and snappy, and decorating them with icing or candies adds a creative touch that’s fun for all ages.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Brown sugar
Molasses
Egg
Vanilla extract

For decoration:

Royal icing or simple sugar icing
Assorted candies or sprinkles (optional)

Directions

I start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl.
In another bowl, I cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
I mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually, I add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
I divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, wrap them in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll.
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, I roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut it into gingerbread men using a cookie cutter.
I place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes, depending on whether I want them soft or crisp.
Once cooled, I decorate them with icing and candies to bring the gingerbread men to life.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24 gingerbread men, depending on the size of the cookie cutters. It takes around 20 minutes to prepare, 1 hour to chill, and 10 minutes to bake, so in about 1 hour and 30 minutes I have a batch of warm, fragrant cookies ready to decorate.

Variations

I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a deeper spice flavor.
For a softer texture, I roll the dough slightly thicker and bake for a shorter time.
When I want crisp cookies, I roll the dough thinner and bake a minute longer.
I occasionally dip half of each cookie in melted white chocolate for a pretty and tasty twist.
For a gluten-free version, I use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They stay soft if I place a slice of bread in the container with them. For longer storage, I freeze the undecorated cookies or dough for up to 3 months. When I want to enjoy them again, I let them thaw at room temperature and decorate as usual.

FAQs

How do I keep my gingerbread men soft?

I slightly underbake them and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them moist.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, I often prepare the dough a day or two in advance and keep it chilled until I’m ready to roll and bake.

Why is my dough cracking when I roll it out?

That usually happens when the dough is too cold. I let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling again.

Can I freeze the baked cookies?

Yes, I freeze baked (and even decorated) cookies for up to 3 months. I just make sure they’re well wrapped to avoid freezer burn.

Can I use this dough for other shapes?

Absolutely. I use this same dough for stars, hearts, or any other cookie cutter shape — it holds its form beautifully.

Conclusion

These Gingerbread Men cookies are a holiday classic I never skip. They’re perfectly spiced, full of rich molasses flavor, and so much fun to make and decorate. Every bite tastes like Christmas, and I love how they bring warmth, joy, and a touch of tradition to my kitchen each year.