Description
Bake and decorate classic gingerbread man cookies with this beginner-friendly recipe! These festive cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or as thoughtful gifts. With crisp edges, soft centers, and endless decorating options, they’re a fun and delicious way to celebrate the season with the whole family.
Ingredients
500 g (4 cups) All-Purpose Flour
7.5 ml (1 1/2 tsp) Baking Soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Pinch of Salt
15 ml (3 tsp) Ground Ginger
15 ml (3 tsp) Ground Cinnamon
7.5 ml (1 1/2 tsp) Mixed Spice
165 g (5.8 oz) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
120 g (1/3 cup) Light Brown Sugar
305 g (1 cup) Golden Syrup
For Decorating
1 batch Royal Icing
Gel Food Coloring (optional)
Sprinkles and Edible Glitter (optional)
Instructions
1. Combine the Dry Ingredients
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Sift together: In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and mixed spice. Set aside.
2. Combine the Wet Ingredients
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Cream the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup on medium speed until creamy and well combined.Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed evenly. (If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can use an electric hand mixer.)
3. Make the Dough
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until a smooth dough forms.
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Divide the dough in half. Roll out each portion between two sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of 5 mm (¼ inch).
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Place the rolled-out dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
4. Preheat the Oven
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Preheat your oven to 140°C (275°F). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
5. Cut Out the Cookies
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Remove one sheet of chilled dough from the refrigerator. Use a gingerbread man (or woman) cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. (Leftover dough can be rolled out again.)
Chef’s Tips: Dip the cookie cutter in flour between cutting out the cookies to prevent the cutter from sticking. If the dough softens while you work, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up before continuing. Use an egg lifter (spatula) dipped in flour to lift cookies and place on the baking sheet to perfect cookies from breaking when lifted or sticking to the egg lifter.
6. Bake the Cookies
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Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and dry to the touch.
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Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the tray. Repeat with the second sheet of dough.
7. Decorate
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Once completely cool, decorate the gingerbread men with royal icing, sprinkles, or any toppings of your choice.
Notes
Tips for Success
Rolling the Dough: Rolling between parchment paper helps prevent sticking and ensures an even thickness.
Storage: Store undecorated gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies are best enjoyed within 3-5 days.
Freezing Leftover Dough: Wrap leftover dough tightly in plastic wrap and transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out.
- Prep Time: 10 - 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 - 25 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 182
- Sugar: 14.8 g
- Sodium: 112 mg
- Fat: 5.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.2 g
- Protein: 2.3 g
- Cholesterol: 14.8 mg