What You’ll Need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 1: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until well combined.
Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This can be achieved using an electric mixer or by hand with a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Adding the Wet Ingredients
Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combining the Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms. Use your hands to knead the dough gently until it comes together.
Step 5: Chilling the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
Step 6: Preparing the Gingerbread Men
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
Step 7: Cutting and Baking
Use gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the shapes from the rolled-out dough. Place the gingerbread men onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 8: Decorating Your Gingerbread Men
Allow the gingerbread men to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Get creative with icing, sprinkles, or candies to add personalities to your little gingerbread men.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Once the decorations have set, it’s time to enjoy your tasty gingerbread men! Share them with family and friends or save them for a cozy holiday treat with a cup of hot cocoa.
Now that you have this foolproof recipe, gather your loved ones and immerse yourselves in the joy of making and decorating gingerbread men. It’s a holiday tradition that will bring warmth and sweetness into your homes for years to come.