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Cozy Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe Easy Soft Spiced Treats

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Soft, chewy gingerbread men cookies bursting with classic warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, perfect for holidays and cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsulfured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Optional for decorating: royal icing or simple powdered sugar glaze, mini chocolate chips, cinnamon candies, or colored sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Beat in egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Dough should be slightly sticky but firm enough to roll.
  5. Chill the dough: Flatten dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Roll out and cut: Lightly flour surface and roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use gingerbread men cookie cutters to cut shapes, dipping cutters in flour between uses. Transfer cookies to baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers still look soft. For softer cookies, bake closer to 8 minutes; for firmer, 10 minutes.
  9. Cool: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Decorate (optional): Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, chocolate chips, or candies as desired.

Notes

Chill dough overnight for easier rolling and deeper flavor. Use fresh spices for best flavor. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft. If dough is too sticky, chill again before rolling. Baking a test cookie first helps adjust oven time. For vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil, egg with flax egg, and molasses with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread men cookies, soft gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, easy gingerbread recipe, Christmas cookies

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/cozy-gingerbread-men-cookies-recipe-easy-soft-spiced-treats/