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Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Men on a white plate on a table with a red holiday tablecloth

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!

Gingerbread Men

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:

Gingerbread Men

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

Gingerbread Men on a white plate on a table with a red holiday tablecloth

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!

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.
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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April J Harris

Monday 17th of December 2018

What a lovely way to remember your friend. She sounds like she was a lovely lady. I think your gingerbread men look great! I haven't actually ever made them from scratch - it's still on my list! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope to see you again this week. Have a great week ahead!

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 18th of December 2018

She was, thank you.

Make them! So easy...and delish!

Catherine Baez Sholl

Wednesday 12th of December 2018

What a touching story! Made me believe in Christmas even more. Great recipe too.

Patti Tucker

Thursday 13th of December 2018

Thank you, Catherine.

Andi Hartley

Monday 10th of December 2018

Love these, will definitely try making them!

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 11th of December 2018

Do eeeeet!

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Wednesday 7th of November 2018

[…] Gingerbread Men, pumpkin rolls, and the never-ending parade of cinnamon rolls (mmmm, cinnamon rolls). […]

Christie Hawkes

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

I used to make gingerbread cookies every Christmas when my children were small. Then, in an attempt to simplify my life, I started getting them at a local bakery. I confess they taste better, but they are missing the made-with-love factor and the joyful childish decorations. Now I make cookies with the grandchildren, but I've left the gingerbread men to the bakery.

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 5th of December 2017

I love the transitions in life. I plan on making them with Boy, Girl and Sweet E this Christmas and know we're gonna be laughing at what they look like!

Thanks for the fun, Christie!

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