There’s something truly magical about making soft chewy gingerbread men cookies during the holiday season. The moment you mix those warm spices together—ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—your kitchen fills with an aroma that instantly transports you to a cozy winter wonderland. I love to gather my friends and family around as we roll out the dough, giggling and cutting out those adorable little men. Trust me, the joy of decorating them with icing and candies is just as delightful as eating them! What makes this recipe special is how wonderfully soft and chewy these cookies turn out, making them a perfect treat for both kids and adults alike. So, let’s dive in and create a batch that’ll warm your heart and fill your home with festive cheer!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients for the best soft chewy gingerbread men cookies you’ll ever make!
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed tightly
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Make sure your butter is nice and soft—it really helps with that creamy texture when you mix it with the sugar. And don’t skimp on the molasses; it gives these cookies that deep, rich flavor we all love!
How to Prepare Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet
First things first—let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Trust me, this step is crucial! A hot oven ensures your cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect chewy texture. While that’s heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. You’ll thank me later!
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Give them a good whisk to ensure everything is evenly distributed. This step is key because you want those warm spices to be mixed throughout the batter for consistent flavor in every bite!
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Now, in another bowl, let’s cream together the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar. You’ll want to mix these until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. The butter should be well incorporated, and the texture should be smooth. This is where that rich flavor starts to develop, so don’t rush this step!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Next, add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix it all together until it’s smooth and glossy. You’ll love the deep, sweet aroma that fills your kitchen at this point!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. I usually do this in two or three batches, mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—this dough should be soft and slightly sticky but not too wet.
Chill the Dough
Here comes the important part: wrap your dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the dough easier to work with. Plus, it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking, ensuring that chewy texture we all crave!
Shape the Cookies
Once your dough is chilled, flour your work surface lightly and roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out your gingerbread men shapes with cookie cutters. Don’t worry if they don’t look perfect; they’ll taste amazing regardless! If you want to keep the shapes from sticking, sprinkle a little extra flour on your cutters.
Bake the Cookies
Place your cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges start to firm up. They might look a bit soft in the center, but they’ll continue to cook a little as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to decorate and enjoy these delightful treats!
Tips for Success
To ensure your soft chewy gingerbread men cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are some tried-and-true tips! First, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature—especially the butter. This helps create that dreamy, smooth batter. If you can, let your dough chill overnight; it intensifies the flavors and makes rolling easier. And don’t skip the chilling step—trust me, it’s vital for achieving that chewy texture!
When rolling out the dough, use flour generously to prevent sticking, but try not to add too much as it can alter the texture. If you’re feeling festive, experiment with different cookie cutter shapes! Just remember to adjust your baking time slightly for larger or smaller cookies. Finally, let the cookies cool completely before decorating; this prevents the icing from melting off. With these tips, you’ll be a gingerbread cookie pro in no time!
Nutritional Information
These soft chewy gingerbread men cookies are not only delicious but also come with some fun nutritional stats! Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories, 7g of fat, 1g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used.
FAQ Section
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Absolutely! Whole wheat flour will give your soft chewy gingerbread men cookies a nuttier flavor and a bit more texture, but the cookies may be slightly denser.
How do I store the cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They also freeze well! Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper.
Can I decorate them ahead of time?
Yes! Just wait until the cookies are completely cool before decorating to prevent the icing from melting. Enjoy your festive creations!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to whip up, perfect for holiday baking!
- Deliciously soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Filled with warm spices that capture the essence of the season.
- Fun for the whole family—great for decorating with icing and candies!
- Perfectly festive, making them a delightful treat for any holiday gathering.
Soft Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies to Melt Your Heart
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy gingerbread men cookies perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add molasses, egg, and vanilla to the butter mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.
- Let cool before decorating.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- For added flavor, let the dough sit overnight in the fridge.
- Decorate with icing or candies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: soft chewy gingerbread men cookies