introduction
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are a warm, easy treat for the holidays or any cold day. These cookies give you the classic ginger and molasses flavor with a soft, chewy bite. If you like simple holiday baking, you will enjoy how quick the dough comes together and how fun it is to cut and decorate the gingerbread men. For ideas on similar gingerbread cookie methods, see this best gingerbread cookies recipe which shares helpful tips on rolling and cutting dough.
This introduction will walk you through why this recipe works, what you need, simple steps, and ways to store and serve the cookies. I use plain, common words and clear steps so you can follow along even if you are new to baking. The dough stays soft and the cookies keep a nice chew for a few days when stored right.
Why You’ll Love This Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
You will love these gingerbread men because they are soft inside, slightly crisp on the edge, and full of warm spices. The molasses gives them the classic color and deep gingerbread taste. The recipe uses few ingredients and the dough is easy to shape. You can make many cookies with one batch and decorate them with simple icing or left plain.
The cookies bake fast — just 8 to 10 minutes. That means you can make a batch with kids in a short time and spend the rest of the day decorating together. The flavor holds up well and the dough freezes nicely if you want to save some for later.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe when you want a reliable, easy gingerbread cookie that stays soft. It is great for holiday baking, cookie swaps, or last-minute gifts. The ingredients are common and easy to find in most kitchens or grocery stores.
This recipe also gives you a base dough you can change. You can add a little orange zest for brightness or swap some spices for more warmth. It’s a good recipe to learn because it shows how to mix wet and dry ingredients without overworking the dough. Overworking makes cookies tough, while this method keeps them tender.
What You Need for Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
You need simple tools and kitchen items: a medium bowl for dry ingredients, a larger bowl for wet ingredients, an electric mixer or a sturdy spoon for creaming the butter and sugar, a rolling pin, cookie cutters shaped like gingerbread men, and baking sheets lined with parchment paper. A cooling rack helps the cookies cool evenly.
You also need the ingredients listed below. Measure the flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off for best results. Cold butter will not cream well, so use softened butter. To keep cookies soft, bake them until the edges set but the center still looks a little soft. They will firm as they cool.
How to Make Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Follow the steps below in order. Read the whole list before you start so you know what comes next. The dough is simple: mix dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add wet ingredients, then combine. Chill the dough if it gets too soft while you work. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into shapes. Bake briefly for soft centers.
Take your time rolling the dough. If it cracks, press the edges to smooth them. Use flour lightly on your surface to prevent sticking, but do not add too much or the cookies may dry out. Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. You can use simple icing, sprinkles, or leave them plain for a rustic look.
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool and decorate as desired.
These directions are simple and clear. If you want firmer edges, bake an extra 1-2 minutes but watch them closely so they do not overbake. If the dough becomes too soft, chill it for 15–30 minutes to make cutting easier.
Best Ways to Serve Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Serve these cookies at room temperature. They go well with hot drinks like tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. For a special touch, plate them with a small bowl of icing for dipping and let guests decorate their own. For kids, offering a few simple decorating items like icing, sprinkles, and small candies makes the moment fun.
You can also serve them as part of a dessert platter with other cookies and small sweets. They pair nicely with fruit such as sliced apples or pears. Pack a few in a small box or tin for neighbors or friends; they make a warm, homemade gift.
How to Store Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help keep them soft — the bread will dry out while the cookies stay moist. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
You can also freeze the dough: roll, cut, and freeze the cookie shapes on a tray, then transfer the frozen shapes to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time. This makes it easy to have fresh-baked cookies any time.
Easy Tips to Make Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Use softened butter, not melted. Soft butter creams with sugar better and makes a tender cookie.
- Measure flour correctly. Spoon and level the flour into the cup to avoid too much flour which makes cookies dry.
- Do not overmix once you add the flour. Mix until just combined to keep cookies soft.
- Chill the dough if it gets too warm. It is easier to roll and cut when cool.
- Roll to 1/4 inch thickness for the best chew. Thicker makes softer centers; thinner gives crisper cookies.
- Bake until the edge looks set and the center is slightly soft. They will firm as they cool.
- Store in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep them soft longer.
If you want to try a different dessert while your oven is free, you might like making cookies and cream Oreo cupcakes which use simple steps and a different flavor profile. This gives you a second recipe idea while you work on cookies.
Try These Variations of Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Spiced Orange: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest and a little extra cinnamon for a bright, warm flavor.
- Lemon Glaze: Mix powdered sugar with a little lemon juice and drizzle over cooled cookies for a fresh contrast.
- Chocolate Dipped: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted dark chocolate for a sweet edge.
- Nutty Twist: Add finely chopped nuts to the dough or press a few into the top before baking for crunch.
- Molasses Light: Reduce molasses to 1/3 cup for a milder taste, keeping soft texture.
These small changes keep the original method but give you new tastes to try. All of them keep the easy steps and quick bake time.
Common Questions About Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
Q: Can I make this dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can make the dough, wrap it well, and chill it in the fridge for up to 48 hours. For longer storage, freeze the shaped dough or freeze cut shapes on a tray, then transfer to a bag.
Q: How do I keep the cookies soft?
A: Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep moisture. Do not overbake; remove from oven when the edges are set and the centers still look a bit soft.
Q: Can I use a different sweetener?
A: You can try using dark brown sugar for a richer flavor. Replacing brown sugar with white sugar may change the texture and chew, so stick to brown sugar for best results.
Q: Do I need to let the cookies cool before decorating?
A: Yes. Let them cool completely to avoid melting the icing or decorations.
Q: Can I make these without molasses?
A: Molasses gives the classic gingerbread taste and texture. If you omit it, you will get a different cookie. You might try a mix of maple syrup and a little extra brown sugar, but results will change.
Final Thoughts
This Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe is simple and forgiving. It uses common ingredients and gives you a soft, warm cookie that is fun to cut and decorate. You can make it with kids, bring it to a party, or bake a batch to gift. The dough is easy to work with and stores well frozen or chilled.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and enjoy rolling out sweet gingerbread men. The steps are clear, and the reward is a plate of soft, spiced cookies that bring a warm feeling to any table. Try one or two variations and see which you like best. Have fun decorating and sharing.
Conclusion
If you want another clear guide and notes from a trusted baking source, check this helpful recipe for more tips at Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies – Mom Loves Baking.
Print
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, easy treat for the holidays or any cold day with classic ginger and molasses flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 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, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool and decorate as desired.
Notes
For firmer edges, bake an extra 1-2 minutes but watch closely to avoid overbaking. Chilling the dough can help with cutting if it becomes too soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg