Soft Gingerbread Cookies (Easy Gingerbread Men)

Soft gingerbread cookies with warm ginger, cinnamon and molasses. They bake up chewy instead of hard, but still hold a clear gingerbread man shape. The dough needs a short chill, so it is a good one to make in the morning and decorate with the kids after lunch.

Why you will love this recipe

• Soft and chewy, not hard
• Classic warm spice mix
• Kid-friendly decorating project

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Soft, chewy gingerbread cookies with molasses and warm spices. Great for gingerbread men.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 9 minutes mins

Chill 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 34 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups all-purpose flour 375 g
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter 170 g, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 150 g
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses 120 ml
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

 

1. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves in a bowl.
2. Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Beat in the egg, molasses and vanilla.
3. Mix in the dry ingredients on low until combined. The dough will be soft. Divide in half, wrap and chill for 1 hour.
4. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
5. Roll the dough 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick on a floured surface and cut out shapes. Place 1 inch apart.
6. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. The centers should still look slightly soft. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
7. Decorate with icing once fully cool.

Notes

Softer or crisper: roll thicker and bake 8 minutes for soft cookies. Roll thinner and bake 10 to 11 minutes for crisp ones.

Storage: airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Questions people ask

Can I use blackstrap molasses?

It works but tastes strong and slightly bitter. Regular unsulphured molasses gives the classic flavor.

How do I keep gingerbread cookies soft?

Do not overbake. Take them out when the centers still look a little soft, and store them airtight.

More Christmas recipes: Christmas Sugar Cookies · Soft Gingerbread Cookies · Cranberry Orange Banana Bread · Christmas Crack · Cranberry Brie Bites · Homemade Hot Chocolate

Made It?

Tell us how it went.

Leave a Rating & Comment

Share The Good Food

Know someone who’d love this?

↗ Share This Recipe

What Should You Cook Next?

Christmas Sugar Cookies (Cut-Out Cookies That Hold Their Shape)

Classic Apple Pie (Flaky Lattice Crust)

Classic Banana Bread

More From Claire

Guides from the Bananuts kitchen that feature this recipe.

12 Easy Christmas Cookies and Treats to Make This Year

Keep Cooking — Browse all recipes →

Stay Hungry

Recipes worth making. Stories worth knowing. Discoveries from kitchens around the world.

Join Bananuts