Name: Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 tablespoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 12 tablespoons butter, room temperature, cut into 12 pieces; 3/4 cup dark molasses; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk

There’s just something magical about the smell of warm spices filling the kitchen, isn’t there? This Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe not only fills your home with that cozy aroma but also delivers soft, chewy treats that are every bit as delightful to decorate as they are to eat. Trust me, these cookies bring out the kid in all of us!

A pair of small hands hold a gingerbread cookie shaped like a person, decorated with white icing forming eyes, a smile, wavy lines on the arms and legs, and three round candy buttons in blue, red, and yellow stacked down the center of the body; in the background, more similarly decorated gingerbread cookies lie on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely enthusiastic about this Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe because it nails that perfect balance between soft and chewy, with just the right amount of spice. Plus, it’s easy enough that you can make it with the kids and still get beautiful results that taste amazing.

Perfect texture: These cookies come out soft and chewy, not hard or crumbly, which keeps everyone coming back for more.
Rich, warm spices: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves fills your kitchen with a festive scent that’s impossible to resist.
Great for decorating: Because the dough isn’t too sticky after chilling, cutting out and decorating your little gingerbread men is smooth and fun.
Make ahead friendly: The dough chills well and the baked cookies store beautifully, perfect for prepping in advance or gifting.

The image shows nine gingerbread man cookies arranged in three rows on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is light brown with white icing details outlining the arms, legs, eyes, and smiling mouth. There are three round colorful candies placed vertically on each cookie’s body, with colors like red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and purple. The icing on the arms and legs is wavy and stands out against the smooth cookie texture. The cookies have a slightly cracked surface, giving a soft homemade look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here combine common pantry staples with some rich molasses and a blend of classic gingerbread spices, creating that signature, deep flavor. Using dark molasses is key — it’s bittersweet richness really elevates the cookie. Also, cutting the butter into the dry mix with a pastry blender is a step I swear by to get the right crumbly texture before wet ingredients.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small heap of dark brown sugar beside it on a white ceramic saucer, a small white bowl filled with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl containing ground cloves, a small white bowl holding fine salt, twelve perfectly cut pieces of pale yellow butter arranged neatly on a simple white ceramic dish, a small white bowl of dark molasses, a small white bowl with fresh milk, and two whole uncracked brown eggs placed symmetrically on a white ceramic saucer, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The base of the dough, it provides structure and holds everything together without making the cookies tough.
Dark brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper sweetness than white sugar, enhancing that molasses flavor.
Baking soda: Just enough to give a slight lift and tender crumb without puffing cookies up too much.
Ground cinnamon, ginger & cloves: This spice trio is the heart of the flavor, warming and comforting on every bite.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavor profile.
Butter (room temperature): Provides richness and buttery flavor; cutting it in by hand creates a tender texture.
Dark molasses: The soul of gingerbread, giving color, moisture, and that unmistakable taste.
Milk: Helps bring the dough together and keeps it soft without making it sticky.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Whipped with a bit of milk and softened butter, it transforms into a simple, sweet icing perfect for decorating your gingerbread men.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with the decorations on these cookies; it’s where the fun really kicks in. You can keep the classic look with simple icing and candy buttons, or get creative with royal icing and add tiny harnesses or scarves for a storytelling touch. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spices if you prefer it less spicy or more cinnamon-forward!

Spice swap: I once swapped cloves for nutmeg and it gave a softer spiced edge that my family loved—feel free to experiment.
Gluten-free option: You can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend; the texture shifts slightly but it’s still delicious.
Vegan-friendly tweak: Swap butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based milk for a dairy-free version that’s just as tasty.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients and cut in the butter

Start by whisking together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a large bowl. Next, add the 12 small pieces of room temperature butter. Using a pastry blender (or two knives in a pinch), cut the butter into the dry mix until it resembles fine meal with tiny butter bits throughout. This step ensures a tender crumb and keeps the dough from getting greasy.

Step 2: Add molasses and milk

With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the molasses and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix just until everything comes together—usually about 30 seconds. You want the dough moist enough to hold but not sticky to the touch.

Step 3: Chill the dough

Divide the dough in half and form each half into a ball. Wrap these in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least two hours or overnight. If you’re short on time, 20 minutes in the freezer works wonders. This chilling step is non-negotiable for workable dough that’s easy to roll out and cut.

Step 4: Roll, cut, and chill again

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out one dough ball to about ½ inch thick, dusting the rolling pin and dough lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Use your gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes and transfer them to the baking sheet. Pop the cut cookies back in the fridge for 5 minutes before baking—this helps them hold their shape.

Step 5: Bake carefully

Bake for 8 to 11 minutes depending on cookie size. You’re looking for cookies that are set in the center but still soft, and that don’t show an imprint when touched gently. Overbaking is a common mistake, so keep an eye to maintain that perfect chewiness!

Step 6: Cool and decorate

Remove your gingerbread men to a wire rack and let them cool completely before frosting. For the icing, beat 2 tablespoons softened butter with powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and fluffy. Have fun decorating with icing, sprinkles, or any little candies you love.

Top Tip

From my many cookie-baking sessions, these tips have saved me from common pitfalls, helping you get it just right the first time.

Don’t skip chilling: Cold dough rolls out nicer and keeps the cookie shapes crisp during baking.
Light dusting of flour: Flour your surfaces and tools lightly to avoid tough cookies caused by overworking or sticking.
Bake in batches: Give the cookies room on the sheet and bake in batches for even heat distribution.
Watch the clock: Set a timer to prevent overbaking—gingerbread cookies can go from chewy to crispy quickly.

How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

gingerbread man cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love using simple garnishes like mini chocolate chips for eyes, red and green sprinkles for buttons, and a drizzle of simple icing. Sometimes I even grab colored sanding sugar to add a little sparkle—makes these old favorites feel fresh and festive every time!

Side Dishes

Pair these gingerbread men with a hot cup of mulled cider, some creamy eggnog, or a classic cup of spiced chai tea. They’re also fantastic alongside vanilla ice cream if you want a little indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas is assembling a gingerbread cookie platter with a faux “winter village” scene or nestled inside clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for gifts. They also look adorable standing upright on a frosted cake or cookie board as edible decorations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover gingerbread cookies in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. In my experience, they stay soft and flavorful for up to a week that way, perfect for nibbling over multiple days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the unbaked dough nicely wrapped in plastic wrap and a sealed bag for up to 3 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out. The baked cookies also freeze well wrapped tightly; just thaw at room temp before decorating or serving.

Reheating

If the cookies get a little stiffer in the fridge, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them up wonderfully. Just make sure not to overdo it—you want them warm and pliable, not chewy-dry.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! This Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe dough benefits from chilling, so making it the night before not only speeds up baking day but actually improves the texture and flavor.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough thoroughly before rolling and cutting is crucial to prevent spreading in the oven. Also, avoid too much butter or liquid ingredients and bake at the right temperature (350°F).

Can I use other shapes besides gingerbread men?

Definitely! This dough works great with any cookie cutter shapes, so feel free to get creative—stars, trees, hearts, you name it. Just remember to adjust baking time depending on size.

What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?

I recommend using a simple buttercream or royal icing for decorating, along with small candies, chocolate chips, or colored sugar. Let the cookies cool fully before decorating to avoid melting your designs.

Final Thoughts

Making these Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe has become a holiday tradition in my home, not just because they taste fantastic, but because the process is joyful—rolling dough, cutting shapes, and decorating with family and friends. I promise you’ll feel that same warmth and satisfaction once these delicious little cookies start filling your kitchen. So grab your rolling pin, turn on some festive tunes, and get ready to create some sweet memories!