Best Gingerbread Men Recipe

These unbelievably easy gingerbread men are the BEST I've ever made—and I hate making cut-out cookies! Perfect for the holidays, these soft and chewy cookies are simple to roll, cut, and decorate with candies *before* baking (genius!). Get ready for rave reviews!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Calories 163.2 kcal
Protein 4g
Rating Be the first
Best Gingerbread Men 43

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Best Gingerbread Men

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How to Make Best Gingerbread Men

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
  2. Cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted margarine and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in 1 large egg until well combined.
  4. Stir in 1 cup molasses, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until thoroughly mixed.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a couple of times to bring the dough together.
  8. Divide the dough in half, wrap one half in plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
  9. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half the dough to 1/4-inch thickness using a floured rolling pin.
  10. Use floured gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out the shapes.
  11. Place cut-out cookies 1/2-inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  12. Decorate cookies with candies.
  13. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
  14. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  15. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

9 g

Sugar

41g

Fat

5g

Carbs

8g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Best Gingerbread Men?

Best Gingerbread Men takes about 65 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Best Gingerbread Men?

Best Gingerbread Men has approximately 163.2 calories per serving, with about 4 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates and 9 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Best Gingerbread Men?

The key ingredients for Best Gingerbread Men are Margarine, Sugar, Egg, Molasses, Cinnamon, Ground Cloves. See the full list with measurements above.

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