Best 20 Gingerbread Men Recipes

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Gingerbread men are a classic holiday cookie that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The warm spices and molasses in the dough give these cookies a unique flavor that is perfect for the winter months. Gingerbread men are also a fun and easy cookie to decorate, making them a great activity for kids and adults alike. If you're looking for a delicious and festive cookie to enjoy this holiday season, look no further than the gingerbread man!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GINGERBREAD MEN COOKIES



Gingerbread Men Cookies image

These Gingerbread Men Cookies are as cute as can be. If desired, decorate with raisins, currants or cinnamon red hot candies for eyes and buttons. Or, pipe untinted or colored icing onto cookies.

Provided by McCormick Spice

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     McCormick®

Time 4h30m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground
1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter, softened
¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

Steps:

  • Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla;mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to5 days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 125.3 mg, Sugar 10.6 g

GINGERBREAD MEN



Gingerbread Men image

This recipe for gingerbread men uses butterscotch pudding mix and doesn't require molasses!

Provided by Kim

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Time 1h37m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
½ cup butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 79.3 calories, Carbohydrate 11.5 g, Cholesterol 14.3 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 62.6 mg, Sugar 6 g

EILEEN'S SPICY GINGERBREAD MEN



Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread Men image

Spicy gingerbread men. This is the only recipe we have ever used. For best flavor, do NOT use blackstrap molasses.

Provided by Stephanie Schneidewind

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ cup margarine
½ cup sugar
½ cup molasses
1 egg yolk
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg yolk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 88.4 calories, Carbohydrate 14 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 103.4 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

CAKE MIX GINGERBREAD MEN



Cake Mix Gingerbread Men image

Use your magic to decorate these delicious little ginger guys, made from Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix. Or start a family tradition by making Gingerbread Men with your children.

Provided by Duncan Hines(R) Canada

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Duncan Hines® Canada

Time 3h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package Duncan Hines® Moist Deluxe® Spice Cake Mix
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup dark molasses
2 teaspoons ground ginger
non-pareils
1 tub Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Vanilla Icing
heavy weight storage or freezer bag

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Combine cake mix, flour, eggs, oil, molasses and ginger in large bowl (mixture will be soft). Refrigerate 2 hours.
  • Place dough on lightly floured surface, cover with waxed paper. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with non pareils.
  • Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Remove immediately to cooling rack.
  • Place icing in storage bag. Snip just the tip of one corner off to allow for a small hole. Pipe the face and ruffles onto cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.2 calories, Carbohydrate 74.3 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 17 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 360.5 mg, Sugar 24.5 g

GINGERBREAD MEN



Gingerbread Men image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 4h

Yield about 24 to 36 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
Royal icing, for decorating

Steps:

  • Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and allspice into a medium bowl; set aside. Melt the butter and shortening in a medium saucepan; remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar and molasses. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
  • Add the egg to the butter mixture; beat with a mixer on medium speed until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in two additions until just combined. Divide the dough in half; wrap each half in plastic wrap and pat into 1/2-inch-thick disks. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
  • Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface, dusting with flour as needed. Cut out gingerbread men with a 3 1/2- to 5-inch cookie cutter and arrange 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush off the excess flour and refrigerate the cutouts 15 minutes.
  • Bake the cookies until golden around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 3 to 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Decorate with royal icing and let harden at room temperature, about 1 hour.

GLUTEN-FREE GINGERBREAD MEN



Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men image

Melissa d'Arabian's gluten-free cookie recipe replaces traditional flour with tapioca flour and buckwheat flour. Decorate the cookies with easy royal icing.

Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 38 to 42 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 cups white rice flour
1 cup tapioca flour (also called tapioca starch)
1/2 cup buckwheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or mixture of nutmeg, allspice, cloves)
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup blackstrap molasses
1 1/2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
Easy Royal Icing, recipe follows
Candies, nuts and sprinkles, for decorating
1/3 cup pasteurized egg whites (from a carton is fine)
1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed orange juice
1/4 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar, plus more if needed
Food coloring

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, sift together the rice, tapioca and buckwheat flours, the baking soda, xanthan gum, ginger, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Whisk until well blended, and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the butter with the brown sugar until the mixture is light, airy and pale tan, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and mix again on medium until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add the molasses and vanilla, and mix again at medium speed for another minute. Add half the dry ingredients and mix on low until incorporated. Add the second half of the dry ingredients and mix on low until the dough comes together in small clumps. (The dough will resemble thick brownie batter.) If the dough is too wet and not clumpy, add another tablespoon or two of rice flour. Using your hands, bring the dough together into a ball and knead for 1 minute, or until you can make a smooth ball of dough. Shape the dough into a disk and place in a resealable plastic bag, removing excess air. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. (If the dough chills much longer than an hour, let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes to soften before proceeding.)
  • When ready to make the cookies, adjust oven racks to the top and bottom thirds and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  • Divide the dough in 3 equal portions. Refrigerate two portions while you work on the first. Roll the dough out to a 1/8-inch thickness. (Best method for GF cookies is to use parchment paper barely dusted with rice flour on the top and bottom of the dough - this avoids needing to use a lot of extra bench flour to keep the dough from sticking to the counter). Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men. You should be able to cut out 5 to 6 gingerbread men from each third of the dough, assuming they are 3 inches tall. Gather and re-roll the scraps. (Don't worry about overworking the dough, there isn't any gluten.)
  • Arrange the gingerbread men on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart and bake until the edges just begin to take on golden color, 8 to 10 minutes. (For softer cookies, cook a minute or 2 less.) Let the cookies cool for a minute on the cookie sheet, and then remove and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Let the baking sheets cool completely.
  • Repeat the process for the remaining dough portions.
  • Once completely cooled, decorate the cookies with colored Easy Royal Icing, along with candies, nuts and sprinkles.
  • In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer on low speed to mix the egg whites until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the orange juice and vanilla and mix again until blended. Sift in the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, and then mix on low speed until incorporated. After the third cup of sugar is added, keep mixing until the icing is smooth, thick and shiny, about 2 more minutes. (Add an extra tablespoon or 2 of confectioners' sugar if the icing seems runnier, like a glaze.) Divide into 2 or 3 portions, add desired amount of food coloring and mix well.
  • Fill a few tablespoons of royal icing in the corner of a resealable plastic bag, snip the tip and draw (or spread the icing with a paintbrush) onto the cookies (thin with a drop or 2 of extra juice). Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for a few minutes to harden the icing.

GINGERBREAD MEN COOKIES



Gingerbread Men Cookies image

This spicy dough is the flavorful foundation for cookie decorator Dani Fiori's gingerbread men.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking

Yield Makes about fifteen 4 1/2-inch cookies

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup Truvia Baking Blend
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses
Dani Fiori's Royal Icing
Sanding sugar, for decorating (optional)
Candy, for decorating (optional)

Steps:

  • Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • Place butter and Truvia in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, mix until just combined. Divide dough into thirds, wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
  • Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside. Roll out dough on a clean work surface to 1/4-inch thick. Using a 4-inch gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies, and place on a baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake cookies until crisp but not dark, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire rack.
  • Using white icing in a squeeze bottle, decorate gingerbread men, as desired. While still wet, sprinkle with sanding sugar; let dry 10 minutes. Shake off excess sugar. Using additional icing, attach candy, using craft tweezers. Let dry completely 8 hours or overnight.

SOFT AND EASY GINGERBREAD MEN



Soft and Easy Gingerbread Men image

This dough will hold any form you want to cut from it but it will still bake up soft! (I think the soft texture comes from the applesauce.) The kids will love decorating them and we all agree that they are pretty tasty too!

Provided by Fitness Guru

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h38m

Yield 24 men, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup applesauce
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, with mixer at slow speed, beat flour, sugar, butter, molasses, applesauce, egg, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F On a lightly floured surface, working with half of the dough at a time, roll 1/8 inch thick. With floured cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. Using a metal spatula or pancake turner, place cookies 1/2 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Reroll trimmings and continue to cut shapes. Bake 8 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD MEN



Chocolate Gingerbread Men image

There's no way I could pass up on this recipe, which comes from The Ultimate Chocolate Cookie Book, 2004. Baking time is an estimate, depending on the number of gingerbread men that can be baked at the same time.

Provided by Sydney Mike

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 24 gingerbread men, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted (preferably natural cocoa powder)
1 tablespoon ground ginger (not more than 2 months from purchase)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, room temperature
3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
1/8 cup raisins, for garnish
1/8 cup red-hot candies, for garnish

Steps:

  • Position racks in the top & bottom thirds of the oven, then preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • With shortening (not on ingredient list) to grease several large baking sheets, then set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder & cloves until spices & coca are evenly distributed, then set aside.
  • In a 2nd large bowl, & using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream shortening & brown sugar until smooth & airy, about 1 minute.
  • Beat in egg & then the molasses.
  • Turn off mixer & add prepared flour mixture, then AT VERY LOW SPEED beat just until crumbly bits of dough form, but not until the mass begins to cohere into a ball.
  • With flour lightly dust a clean, dry work surface as well as your hands.
  • Turn dough out & knead just until it forms a smooth mass, about 30 seconds.
  • Divide into thirds & cover them with a clean kitchen towel.
  • With flour lightly dust the work surface again & roll one of the thirds to a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Flour the dough & a rolling pin only as necessary.
  • Use a large gingerbread-man cookie cutter to cut the dough into the desired shapes, then use a metal spatula to transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheet(s). Gather any scraps, lightly dust again with flour & roll out a 2nd time, creating additional gingerbread men.
  • Decorate the cookies with the raisins & red hots, using one for the eyes & the other for the mouths. Additional red hots can be used as buttons on their coats.
  • Bake for 4 minutes, then rotate sheets top to bottom & front to back.
  • Bake another 4 minutes, or until cookies feel dry but still are a little soft.
  • Remove from oven & cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
  • Cool the baking sheets for 5 more minutes, then regrease them before baking additional batches, as necessary, OR work with 2 additional baking sheets, preparing them while the others are in the oven.
  • Keep no longer than 2 days at room temperature, several more days in the refrigerator, OR up to a month in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174.1, Fat 6.4, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 8.8, Sodium 166.6, Carbohydrate 27.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 10.8, Protein 2.6

BUTTERSCOTCH GINGERBREAD MEN



Butterscotch Gingerbread Men image

The addition of butterscotch pudding makes these a little different than most gingerbread cutout recipes. The recipe comes from my mother-in-law's files.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 1-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
FROSTING:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and pudding mix until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda and cinnamon; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a 5-in. gingerbread man cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden. Remove to wire racks to cool. , In another small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Decorate cookies with frosting as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 26mg cholesterol, Sodium 177mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTED GINGERBREAD MEN



Cream Cheese Frosted Gingerbread Men image

Every Christmas, my family would visit a display of the most amazing gingerbread houses. Of course, we'd get to munch on gingerbread cookies along the way! I created my recipe with fresh grated ginger and cream cheese icing-it's the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. -Rebekah Jackson, San Jose, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield about 3 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Confectioners' sugar
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and ginger. In another bowl, whisk next six ingredients; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. On a surface dusted with confectioners' sugar, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 15-18 minutes. Cool completely on pans on wire racks., For frosting, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread or pipe frosting over cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127 calories, Fat 6g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 80mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

GINGERBREAD MEN



Gingerbread Men image

Make and share this Gingerbread Men recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Duckie067

Categories     Dessert

Time 22m

Yield 36-48 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup creamed shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses
1 medium egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

Steps:

  • Mix together the shortening, sugar, and molasses.
  • Next, add egg and beat completely.
  • Combine all dry ingredients and add to the creamed ingredients--using 1/2 cup increments.
  • Beat well after each addition.
  • Refrigerate the dough until cold.
  • Roll out until the dough is about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Use cookie cutters to form the figures.
  • Place in a 350° oven and bake for 10 - 12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.2, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 1.2, Cholesterol 6.1, Sodium 63.7, Carbohydrate 13.1, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 5.4, Protein 1.1

GINGERBREAD MEN COOKIES



Gingerbread Men Cookies image

No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. -Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield about 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tablespoons water
2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Frosting of choice

Steps:

  • Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and water. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients minus frosting; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover. Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets., Bake until edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 128mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

GINGERBREAD MEN FROM SPLENDA®



Gingerbread Men from Splenda® image

Traditional gingerbread men with lots of spices are always a tasty treat on your holiday cookie tray.

Provided by SPLENDA® Sweeteners

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     SPLENDA®

Time 2h30m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk

Steps:

  • Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and allspice into a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Cream butter and SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg and egg yolk. Stir in dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Shape dough into a disc, wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Using a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut dough and place on cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for 2 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely on rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 108.5 calories, Carbohydrate 13.1 g, Cholesterol 25.2 mg, Fat 5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 63.3 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

STORYBOOK GINGERBREAD MEN



Storybook Gingerbread Men image

Soft gingerbread cookies.

Provided by Annamaria

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ cup shortening
½ cup packed brown sugar
3 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¾ cup molasses
¼ cup water

Steps:

  • Cream shortening and sugar. Sift flour with salt, soda and spices. Blend flour mixture into creamed mixture alternately with molasses and water. Chill at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  • Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with large 6-8 inch gingerbread men cookie cutters. Lift onto lightly greased cookie sheet with broad spatula.
  • Bake above oven center for about 12 minutes or until cookies spring back lightly in center. Do not overcook, they won't stay soft. Remove from sheets. Cool on wire racks. Makes 10 men 6-8 inches tall.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704.4 calories, Carbohydrate 120.7 g, Fat 21.4 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 743.2 mg, Sugar 48.9 g

CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD MEN



CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD MEN image

Categories     Cookies     Chocolate     Dessert     Christmas

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 ounces Semi-Sweet Baking Bar (1/3 cup chips, melted)
1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the molasses, egg, and melted chocolate and continue beating on medium speed for an additional 2 minutes. On low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and flatten into a disk. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least hour, or up to 5 days. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide the chilled dough into four equal quarters, leaving three quarters in the refrigerator. Lightly flour a flat work surface and roll out one piece of dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Using a small (2 to 2 1/2 -inch) gingerbread man or woman cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as possible. Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart. Gather all the dough scraps into a ball and place in the refrigerator. Take out another quarter of the dough, and continue rolling out the dough and cutting cookies until all the dough has been used. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly raised. Using a spatula, remove the cookies from the cookie sheets, transferring to a wire rack to cool.

GINGERBREAD MEN



Gingerbread Men image

Cookie cutters work well to form these fun and festive fellows from our Test Kitchen. Kids of all ages will enjoy spreading the cutouts with soft, sweet white chocolate frosting, then giving them character by decorating with colorful store-bought candies.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 6 gingerbread men.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 piece (10 inches x 7 inches) Gingerbread Cake
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Assorted candies

Steps:

  • Using a 3-1/2-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut out six men from the gingerbread cake. In a small bowl, combine the butter, chocolate and confectioners' sugar; beat for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Frost gingerbread men and decorate with candies as desired.

Nutrition Facts :

MIMI'S GINGERBREAD MEN



Mimi's Gingerbread Men image

I have made these since I was in high school (a long time ago). I found the recipe in a magazine, maybe Better Homes and Gardens, and tried them. They were so good. They still are. My family loves Gingerbread Men. If you don't roll these too thin and if you don't overbake them, they will be soft and wonderful. They have good flavor. One hint on the cutter--choose one that has sort of fat arms and legs and not one with spindly extremities because they will get crispy before the body is done. I like soft "gingies". Another cutter that I use is a teddy bear. Then I call them "Ginger Bears".

Provided by Mimi in Maine

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h20m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 tablespoons vinegar
5 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon clove

Steps:

  • Cream shortening and sugar till light and fluffy.
  • Stir in egg, molasses and vinegar; beat well.
  • Add dry ingredients.
  • Chill thoroughly; about 3 hours.
  • On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/4" thick (no thinner) and cut with cutter.
  • Place on lightly greased sheet.
  • Add raisins or currants for eyes,nose, and buttons.
  • Bake 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, depending on size of the men.
  • Cool and remove.
  • NOTE: If you use a small to medium cutter, you will get a lot of little guys; but if the cutter is large it will be about 1 1/2 dozen (approximately)--I like to use the small to medium because you get more to give away at Christmas.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 247.8, Fat 9, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 8.8, Sodium 136.1, Carbohydrate 39, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 16.2, Protein 3

BUTTERSCOTCH GINGERBREAD MEN



BUTTERSCOTCH GINGERBREAD MEN image

Categories     Ginger

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2cup butter, softened
1/2cup packed brown sugar
1pkg (3.4oz) instant butterscotch pudding mix.
1 egg
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2tsp ground cinnamon
Frosting:
2cups confectioner's sugar
3 tbsp. of milk

Steps:

  • In a small mixing bowl, cream the butter,brown sugar, and pudding mix. Beat in egg. In a separate bowl combine the flour, ginger, baking soda,and cinnamon,and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate over night. (I have never refrigerated and they turn out just fine. Dough might be easier to work with if cold however! ) On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8inch thickness. cut with Gingerbread cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place one inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove with spatula to wire racks for cooling. yields 1and 1/2 dozen when using 5 inch gingerbread man cookie cutter. In another small bowl, combine confectioner's sugar and milk , mix until smooth and decorate as desired. Regular store bought icings of all colors and sugar sprinkles work very well also.

GINGERBREAD MEN



GINGERBREAD MEN image

Categories     Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 16

For the cookies:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Red and green food coloring, as desired
Assorted sprinkles, as desired

Steps:

  • Using a mixer on low speed, cream the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in the eggs and molasses. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix with a spoon. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap; place in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350. Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable. Line 1 or more cookie sheets with parchment paper. Take about 1/2 cup dough at a time and roll on a floured surface until - to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out shapes with 5-by-3-inch gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. (Re-roll the scraps.) Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheets, leaving space between them. Refrigerate the cookies for 20 minutes, then bake until they just begin to brown at the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar and milk in a bowl. Leave white or divide among bowls and add food coloring. Decorate cookies with icing; use a pastry bag to pipe eyes, mouths, buttons and bow ties. Top with sprinkles.

Tips:

  • Prep in Advance: Soften butter and bring eggs to room temperature for a well-emulsified batter.
  • Chill the Dough: Adequate chilling improves dough handling and helps the gingerbread men hold their shape.
  • Use Quality Spices: Freshly grated spices and a variety of them (like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves) offer more intense flavor.
  • Roll Out the Dough Evenly: A consistent thickness ensures uniform baking and prevents thicker parts from burning.
  • Bake until Just Set: Overbaking can make the gingerbread men dry. Look for the edges to be just set and the centers to be almost done.
  • Let Them Cool Completely: Cooling on a wire rack helps set and firm up the cookies before decorating.
  • Decorate with Patience: For intricate designs, let the initial icing layer dry before adding more. This prevents smudging.

Conclusion:

From classic to creative, each gingerbread man recipe offers its own unique take on this beloved holiday treat. Whether it's the chewy delight of the Original Gingerbread Men or the spiced perfection of the Chewy Gingerbread Melasses Cookies, there's a recipe to suit every taste and skill level. With these delicious variations and tips, you can spread holiday cheer and create memorable moments with your loved ones this festive season. So, grab your aprons, crank up the holiday music, and let your creativity shine through as you embark on your gingerbread baking adventure!

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