How to Make Gingerbread Cookies | Easy Gingerbread Men Cookie Recipe

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

More nutritious option.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

Lower glycemic index.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Healthier fat option or budget-friendly alternative.

Soften 6 tablespoons of butter in the microwave if necessary, but do not melt it completely.

In a mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup dark brown sugar with the softened butter and blend using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1 egg, mixing until combined.

Add 1/2 cup of molasses (or substitute with maple syrup) and mix well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of ginger, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, adding a bit at a time and scraping the sides as needed.

Once the mixture becomes too thick for the hand mixer, switch to a wooden spoon and continue mixing until combined.

Knead the dough gently on a floured surface until it forms a soft cookie dough, then divide it in half.

Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper, spacing them about 1 to 1.5 inches apart.

Gather any leftover dough, knead it together, and roll it out again to cut more shapes.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes, checking for doneness based on size and desired texture (7 minutes for softer cookies, closer to 10 for crunchier).

Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate the cooled cookies as desired using icing or frosting.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens