Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe
These soft gingerbread men cookies are the ultimate holiday baking project. Full of rich molasses and warm spices, these cookies are a holiday favorite.
How to Make the Best Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies
These soft gingerbread men cookies are a cherished holiday tradition that brings warmth and nostalgia to any festive gathering. With their tender, cake-like texture and rich molasses flavor, these cookies are far more satisfying than the typical snappy gingerbread wafer. The aromatic blend of warm spices—ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and a hint of cardamom—creates that signature gingerbread flavor that makes these cookies instantly recognizable and irresistibly delicious.
What makes these cookies truly special is their incredible softness. By using a higher ratio of brown sugar and molasses, along with careful attention to not overbaking, you’ll achieve that perfect tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The optional orange-vanilla royal icing adds a festive touch and pairs beautifully with the spiced dough, creating a cookie that’s as fun to decorate as it is to eat.
These gingerbread men are perfect for holiday gift boxes, decorated with intricate icing designs, or simply enjoyed plain with a warm cup of cocoa. Whether you’re baking them as a family tradition, for a holiday party, or just because you love the taste of gingerbread, these cookies deliver on flavor and texture every single time.
Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies
These soft gingerbread men cookies are the ultimate holiday baking project. Full of rich molasses and warm spices, these cookies are a holiday favorite.
Ingredients
Cookies
Orange-Vanilla Royal Icing
Instructions
Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, cloves, allspice, and cardamom.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out gingerbread men shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Place on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Orange-Vanilla Royal Icing
- In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, orange extract, and vanilla extract, beating until thick and spreadable.
- Add food coloring if desired.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the icing using a piping bag or small spoon.
- Allow icing to dry completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Keep these cookies soft by not overbaking—remove them when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft.
- The dough can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For added crunch, sprinkle coarse sugar on the dough before baking.