Gingerbread Cookies

What is Christmas without a delicious Gingerbread Man cookie?

Days full of sad, that’s what.

Have you ever baked Gingerbread Cookies?

Baking Confession: Last year was the first year I ever baked Gingerbread Men. Ever ever.

It seems crazy, given how often I bake, but I have a great reason: A dear friend, Sue, used to make us a stash of gingerbread men every year, so there really was no need for me to add to the pile.

Sue’s were crispy over-baked, sunken-eyed, slapdash frosted, creatures, and I loved every bite.

She gave “made with love” its literal meaning.

Sue’s Much-coveted Gingerbread Men:

Ha! I love this version of a Gingerbread Man!

I won’t lie, I would hide her cookies the minute they hit our home. I coveted those melted-eye, poorly dressed, crispy men. To think I was now responsible for preserving the Gingerbread Men tradition for the holidays made me happy Sue had introduced it to us so many years ago.

This year, my cookies have been made. They are a bit thicker than Sue’s, but delicious all the same. Here’s a pic of them before they are decorated (use whatever icing you’d like):

When Sue died, I knew if I was ever to have a gingerbread cookie again, it would be up to me to bake them.

My first try turned out fat, fluffy, googly-eyed aliens.

The best part was they tasted just like Sue’s and made me believe in Christmas all over again.

My Gingerbread Men Cookies:

No matter. I’ll try again this month.

Should Gingerbread Cookies Be Soft Or Crunchy?

Your preference!

If you overcook the gingerbread (like Sue!) , they will be crunchy.

Undercooking will produce a much softer cookie.

What Kind Of Molasses Do You Use For Gingerbread Cookies?

As you can see by this recipe, I use the darker molasses.

If you’d prefer a chewier cookie, use light molasses.

Can You Substitute Dark Karo Syrup For Molasses?

The short answer is yes. You can substitute dark Karo Syrup for molasses.

The longer answer is that molasses has a more complicated and deeper taste than Karo, which is really a simple sugar.

I would choose molasses over Karo every time.

Gingerbread Cookie Mix

Can you use a mix to make gingerbread cookie?

Yes!

This makes a great alternative if you’re having a kiddo holiday party and are short on time.

No guilt! Just make some memories!

Why Do We Bake Gingerbread At Christmas?

The Gingerbread Men cookies tradition started during the 1700s when the Dutch brought it from the Old Country to ours.

Of course, Americans have incorporated their twist on it since!

Gingerbread House 

The gingerbread house is an extension of the cookie tradition, representing family and all things winter holidays!

Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter

You can get gingerbread cookie cutters online or at any big box store, and even your grocery stores through the holiday season.

I have a link (at no cost to you) in the printable recipe post.

Alright, let get to the recipe!

Let’s bake!

The printable recipe is at the end of the post.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
• 2/3 cup cold water
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Assorted decorations (Red Hot candy and raisins)

Directions:

1. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
4. Heat oven to 350°F.
5. Grease cookie sheet lightly with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
6. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut with floured gingerbread cutter or other shaped cutter.
8. On cookie sheet, place cutouts about 2 inches apart.
9. Place candy or raisins before baking.
10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.
11. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
12. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

Continue to Content

Gingerbread Men Cookies

Yield: 2-3 dozen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Gingerbread cookies for the holidays!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
• 2/3 cup cold water
• 7 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Assorted decorations (Red Hot candy and raisins)

Instructions

1. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
4. Heat oven to 350°F.
5. Grease cookie sheet lightly with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
6. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut with floured gingerbread cutter or other shaped cutter.
8. On cookie sheet, place cutouts about 2 inches apart.
9. Place candy or raisins before baking.
10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.
11. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
12. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Hiware 2-Pack Cooling Racks for Baking - 10" x 15" - Stainless Steel Wire Cookie Rack Fits Jelly Roll Sheet Pan, Oven Safe for Cooking, Roasting, Grilling
• 
  TeamFar Baking Sheet Set of 2, Stainless Steel Baking Pans Tray Cookie Sheet, Non Toxic & Healthy, Mirror Finish & Rust Free, Easy Clean & Dishwasher Safe
• 
  Riccle Disposable Piping Bags 12 Inch - 100 Anti Burst Pastry Bags - Icing Piping Bags for Frosting - Ideal for Cakes and Cookies Decoration
• 
  365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Thompson Raisins, 8 Ounce
• 
  Red Hots Cinnamon Flavored Candy
• 
  Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters Shapes Set for Christmas Baking with Assorted Sizes - 5 inch, 4 inch, 3 inch, 2 inch - Stainless Steel

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 144Total Fat: 2.3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 38mgCarbohydrates: 30.6gFiber: .7gSugar: 5.4gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

~Original Post: December 4, 2017 ~ Updated Post: December 13, 2023~

The season for Gingerbread Cookies is here! Happy Baking (and decorating), y’all!

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