The Ultimate Gingerbread Man Recipe: A Festive Treat for All
This year, ditch the store-bought gingerbread men and bake up a batch of these delightful, delicious treats! This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and results in perfectly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth gingerbread men that will be the star of your holiday festivities.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes approximately 24 gingerbread men. Adjust as needed for your baking needs!
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For the Dough:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
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For Decoration:
- Royal icing (recipe below)
- Sprinkles, candies, or other decorations of your choice
Making the Perfect Gingerbread Man Dough:
The key to delicious gingerbread men lies in the dough. Follow these steps carefully for the best results:
Step 1: Cream Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but can be achieved with a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease!
Step 2: Add the Molasses and Egg
Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the gingerbread men from spreading out too much during baking.
Rolling, Cutting, and Baking Your Gingerbread Men:
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Step 3: Cut Out Gingerbread Men
Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out your gingerbread men. Reroll scraps as needed.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 5: Cool Completely
Let the gingerbread men cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating.
Easy Royal Icing Recipe:
This simple royal icing is perfect for decorating your gingerbread men:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6-8 tablespoons warm water
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency. You can divide the icing and add food coloring for festive designs.
Decorating Your Gingerbread Masterpieces:
Once your gingerbread men are completely cool, let your creativity shine! Use your royal icing to create intricate designs, add sprinkles, candies, or anything else that sparks your imagination.
Tips for Success:
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will result in tough gingerbread men.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading.
- Don't overbake: Overbaking will result in dry gingerbread men.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating: This will prevent the icing from melting.
With this recipe and a little bit of holiday cheer, you'll be baking up a batch of unforgettable gingerbread men in no time! Happy baking!
