Gingerbread Men Recipe

Who doesn’t love gingerbread cookies?!

Rhetorical. I know some people don’t like them, but today I’m speaking to the peeps who are ready to bake, decorate, and eat ’em!!

Maybe give a few away as gifts, but only after you’ve had your fill!

Let’s go!

What is Christmas without a delicious Gingerbread Man cookie?

Days full of sad, that’s what.

Have You Ever Baked Gingerbread Cookies?

Baking Confession: 2017 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.

Simple Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This is a simple recipe that the kids can manage (with help if they’re itty-bitties). 

I know you have a favorite simple recipe, so please feel free to share with us!

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 Recipe

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

Gingerbread Cookie Dough

Side note on all this merriment: I love the gingerbread dough. I eat it raw. It’s like the recipe could be: Gingerbread Dough Recipe – and we could just forgo the baking and commence the throwing into yer piehole-ing!

No eggs in the dough = you can indulge your child’s neeeed to sneak cookie dough!

Although, total honesty here, I eat cookie dough no matter if it contains eggs or not. Haven’t been sick once because of it…even in my 60’s. I be livin’ dangerously!

Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

You know how you share something you love to eat from your childhood with someone and they aren’t as thrilled as you are about it? Well, this is every recipe that you swear by ever, right?

I consider this the best gingerbread cookie recipe because it came from our beloved Sue.

No other recipe can beat it! Try and convince me and you will surely fail.

Plus, you know, when these are in the house, fresh out of the oven, they are not long for this world!

Let’s eat!

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.

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  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 15, 2025~

Christmas Treats

Gingerbread fully falls under Christmas treats, and so do the next couple of posts. Enjoy!

Christmas Crack

Holy toledo, Batman. This stuff is deceptive. It looks all healthy, but it is dangerously addictive.

A family favorite that you must use caution when making/sharing/devouring!

Spicy Pretzels

This is another Sue recipe (so you know it’s good)

The story behind them is similar to the Christmas Crack story. I’m am thoroughly shamed!

Christmas Treats For Kids

This Christmas treat is gonna knock the kiddo’s socks off. Come on! It’s Christmastime!

Captain Crunch Bars

Lawsy, y’all!

Frooot Loop Bars

While I know there will be side-eying on these last two snack – ALL SUGAR! – just remember, these are treats and not an every day occurrence. We can get back to healthier eating after the holidays!

These are in line with the Oops All Berry Bars. Kid approved!

The season for Gingerbread Cookies is here! If you decide to bake these, come back and tell me what you think of our Gingerbread Men Recipe.

Happy Baking (and decorating), y’all!

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