I can’t wait for you to try my Soft Gingerbread Cookies. I combine all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon and unsulphured molasses with unsalted butter and granulated sugar for a dough that’s rich in holiday spirit. The royal icing made with egg white, sifted powdered sugar and a touch of lemon juice adds the perfect finish.

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I first stumbled upon this Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe when I was looking for the perfect treat for the holidays and it quickly became one of my all-time favs. I love how the classic flavors come together with 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger and a hint of ground cinnamon to create that unmistakable gingerbread taste.

Adding 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses really gives it that deep, robust flavor that makes these the best gingerbread cookies ever. Plus, topping them off with a royal icing made from 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 egg white and a little lemon juice makes them irresistibly festive.

I always print this recipe out so i can enjoy making it year after year. It’s one of those Christmas cookie recipes that never disappoints and always leaves me wanting more.

Enjoy baking and sharing these chewy treats with your loved ones!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because the spices are just spot on. The mix of ginger, cinnamon and cloves gives the cookies a warm flavor that reminds me of cozy holidays.

I also really appreciate how soft and chewy the cookies come out. They have this perfect texture thats not too hard or too crumbly, which makes them super enjoyable to eat.

Another thing is the royal icing. It’s really easy to whip up and adds a fun, decorative touch to the cookies. I enjoy getting creative with the icing designs even if they sometimes don’t turn out exactly as planned.

Finally, making these cookies feels like a little celebration. The recipe is simple enough to follow and always brings back fond memories when i share them with friends and family.

Ingredients

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All-purpose Flour: The main structural base delivering carbohydrates and minimal fiber for energy.
Molasses: Provides robust sweetness with minerals giving a unique, rich flavor and appealing color.
Ground Ginger: Adds warm spice and slight heat while boosting overall digestive benefits.
Unsalted Butter: Offers a creamy texture and richness though gives some saturated fat, a tasty treat.
Granulated Sugar: Provides classic sweetness that melts in your mouth and balances spicy notes.
Vanilla Extract: Offers a subtle aroma that enhances overall flavor, rounding out the cookie dough nicely.
Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent which turns flat dough into soft chewy treats.

Ingredient Quantities

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup unsulphured molasses

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Royal Icing: 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

For Royal Icing: 1 large egg white

For Royal Icing: 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl, sift together 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

2. In a separate large bowl, cream 3/4 cup unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy.

3. Beat in 1 large egg until well combined then stir in 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. It’s best not to overmix to keep the cookies soft.

5. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This makes it easier to roll out.

6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut out gingerbread men shapes with a cookie cutter.

7. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. They should be soft and chewy and slightly puffed up.

8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

9. For the royal icing, whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted), 1 large egg white, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice until the icing is smooth.

10. Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or pipe the royal icing onto them and let it set. Enjoy your delicious gingerbread men cookies with friends and family!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Two mixing bowls (one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients)
3. Sifter (for both the flour mixture and powdered sugar)
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Mixer or a sturdy spoon for creaming butter and sugar
6. Spatula (for mixing the dough)
7. Refrigerator (for chilling the dough)
8. Rolling pin
9. Gingerbread man cookie cutter
10. Baking sheet
11. Parchment paper (to line the baking sheet)
12. Wire cooling rack
13. Whisk (for the royal icing)
14. Additional bowl (for whipping up the royal icing)

FAQ

What if my dough seems too sticky?

Sometimes the dough can be a bit sticky, so try chilling it for at least an hour. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll and cut.

Can I use a different type of molasses?

You can use blackstrap molasses but it might make the cookies a bit more bitter. The unsulphured molasses works best for that classic gingerbread taste.

How long will the cookies stay soft and chewy?

If you store them in an airtight container, they should stay soft for a few days. If they get a little hard, a few seconds in the microwave can bring back the chewiness.

Is it necessary to use royal icing?

No, its totally up to you! The royal icing is optional and mainly for decorating. The cookies themselves are yummy even without it.

Can I freeze the gingerbread dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough. Just wrap it tightly and when you want to use it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling it out and cutting the shapes.