Nothing captures the magic of the holiday season quite like a batch of freshly baked Christmas Gingerbread Man Cookies. Warm, spiced, nostalgic, and endlessly fun to decorate, these classic gingerbread men are a must-have for holiday baking. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a cookie exchange, or adding treats to your Christmas dessert table, gingerbread cookies always bring festive cheer.

This recipe creates perfectly spiced gingerbread men with crisp edges and soft, slightly chewy centers. They hold their shape beautifully while baking, making them ideal for decorating with royal icing, sprinkles, or colorful candies.

Gingerbread cookies date back centuries, and their warm spices—ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves—provide an aroma that instantly makes your home feel cozy and Christmassy. Paired with molasses and brown sugar, these cookies deliver rich flavor and deep color.

Let’s explore why these gingerbread men are the perfect holiday baking project and how to make them in your own kitchen.

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Why This Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Works

✔ Holds Shape Perfectly

The dough is designed to stay crisp and defined—no spreading, no warping—ideal for cutouts.

✔ Warm, Cozy Spices

Balanced spices create the perfect classic gingerbread flavor.

✔ Soft Yet Sturdy Texture

Chewy centers + crisp edges = perfect holiday bite.

✔ Fun for Decorating

Great for icing, candies, and kid-friendly decorating stations.

✔ Make-Ahead Friendly

The dough can chill for days and freezes beautifully.

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Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Cookies

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing (Optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla, and molasses; mix until smooth.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
5. Divide dough into two disks, wrap, and chill 1–2 hours (or overnight).

2. Cut the Cookies

6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
8. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut shapes.
9. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

3. Bake

10. Bake 8–10 minutes for soft cookies, 10–12 minutes for crisp cookies.
11. Let cool completely before decorating.

4. Decorate

12. Mix icing ingredients to desired thickness.
13. Pipe faces, outlines, buttons, and details on each gingerbread man.

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Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Men

1. Chill the Dough

This keeps the cookies from spreading and ensures clean shapes.

2. Roll Evenly

Consistent thickness = even baking.

3. Don’t Overbake

Take them out when edges are just set for soft, chewy centers.

4. Use Parchment Paper

Helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.

5. Decorate After Cooling

Warm cookies cause icing to melt and run.

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Flavor Variations

Chocolate Gingerbread Men

Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the flour.

Vanilla Sugar Coating

Roll dough in coarse sugar before baking.

Extra Spicy Version

Add more ginger for a bolder, warming flavor.

Orange Gingerbread Men

Add 1 tsp orange zest to dough.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve gingerbread man cookies with:

• Hot cocoa
• Christmas coffee drinks
• Holiday charcuterie boards
• Dessert trays
• Cookie exchange boxes

They also make delicious tree ornaments when baked with a small hole at the top.

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Storage & Freezing

Room Temperature:

Store in airtight container up to 7 days.

Freeze Baked Cookies:

Freeze up to 2 months.

Freeze Dough:

Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.

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Fun Gingerbread Fact

Gingerbread men became popular thanks to Queen Elizabeth I, who had them made to resemble visiting dignitaries!