Name: Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 tablespoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 12 tablespoons butter, room temperature, cut into 12 pieces; 3/4 cup dark molasses; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk

There’s something about the smell of warm spices that just wraps you in cozy comfort — and that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe with you. These cookies hit that perfect soft and chewy spot packed with that classic gingerbread flavor. Trust me, they’re worth every minute of baking.

A close-up image shows a brown gingerbread cookie shaped like a person being held by two small hands. The gingerbread figure has white icing eyes made of small dots, a curved white icing smile, and white icing zigzag designs on the edges of the arms and legs. Three round candies in blue, red, and yellow are placed vertically in the center of the cookie's body with white icing borders. The background has several similar gingerbread cookies blurred out, all decorated similarly, set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore making gingerbread cookies during the holidays — and this recipe stands out because it’s incredibly simple yet delivers soft, tender cookies with that deep molasses warmth you expect from a classic gingerbread man.

Soft and Chewy Texture: These gingerbread men don’t turn hard or crunchy after baking, which means perfect bites every time.
Easy to Work With Dough: The dough isn’t sticky or difficult to handle once chilled, making cookie cutting a breeze.
Authentic Spiced Flavor: The balance of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves brings that true gingerbread aroma and taste you’ll crave.
Fun to Decorate: These cookies hold their shape well, making them fantastic for decorating with royal icing or simple powdered sugar glaze.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe is chosen for its flavor and texture. The combination of warm spices with molasses gives the cookies their signature taste, while the butter and brown sugar help create that tender, chewy texture.

Flat lay of all-purpose flour in a small white ceramic bowl, dark brown sugar loosely piled in a simple white ceramic dish, a few cinnamon sticks alongside a small white bowl filled with ground cinnamon, fresh ginger root next to a small white bowl containing ground ginger, star anise and whole cloves beside a tiny white bowl with ground cloves, whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a stack of cold butter pieces arranged neatly on a plain white plate, a small white bowl of dark molasses, small white bowls containing fresh milk, and a mound of powdered sugar in a simple white ceramic bowl, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides structure but is light enough to keep cookies soft.
Dark brown sugar: Adds moisture and a rich caramel flavor that enhances the molasses.
Baking soda: Helps with a light rise so cookies aren’t too dense.
Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves: Classic gingerbread spices that bring warmth and depth.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
Butter: Adds richness and tenderness; room temperature butter helps it blend evenly.
Molasses (dark): The star ingredient for authentic gingerbread flavor and that deep brown color.
Milk: Keeps the dough soft and moist for perfect rolling and shaping.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Smooth texture for an easy and sweet icing finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this gingerbread cookie recipe is how well it adapts to your style — whether you like them plain or fully decked out in icing and sprinkles. I often swap out a hint of cinnamon for extra ginger when I’m feeling bold.

Spice Variation: I've tried adding a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom for a more complex flavor, and it turned out beautifully!
Vegan Substitution: Try using coconut oil instead of butter and a flax egg — it changes the texture slightly but still yields tasty results.
Thicker or Thinner Cookies: Rolling the dough a bit thicker makes softer cookies, while thinner slices come out crispier and perfect for bite-sized treats.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mixing Dry Ingredients and Cutting in Butter

I start by combining the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a big mixing bowl. Then I add those little cubes of room-temp butter and grab my pastry blender. This part is kind of satisfying — cutting the butter into the mixture until it looks like fine crumbs ensures the cookies will be tender and flaky.

Step 2: Adding Molasses and Milk

With my mixer on low, I slowly pour in the molasses and milk — this gives the dough its signature sweetness and moisture. Mixing for just about 30 seconds is enough; overmixing can make the dough tough.

Step 3: Chilling the Dough

I divide the dough in two, wrap each ball in plastic wrap, and tuck them into the fridge for at least two hours. If you’re in a rush, a quick 20-minute stint in the freezer works too. This chilling step is non-negotiable if you want manageable dough that doesn’t stick everywhere.

Step 4: Rolling, Cutting, and Preparing to Bake

After chilling, I lightly flour my counter and rolling pin, then roll the dough out to about half an inch thick. Using my favorite gingerbread man cookie cutter, I cut shapes and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. I always pop the shaped cookies back into the fridge for 5 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape through the oven’s heat.

Step 5: Baking to Perfection

Bake the cookies at 350°F for 8 to 11 minutes, depending on their size. The trick here is to watch carefully—they’re done when the centers are set, and the surface barely springs back to a gentle touch. Avoid overbaking so you keep that lovely chewiness.

Step 6: Cooling and Decorating

Once out of the oven, I transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool fully before frosting or decorating. Cooling completely prevents the icing from melting or sliding off.

Top Tip

After making this gingerbread cookies recipe dozens of times, I’ve found a few small tricks that can make your baking easy and full of success. These are the things I wished someone told me the first time I made these cookies.

Don’t Skip the Chill: I know it feels like extra wait time, but chilling is crucial to prevent sticky dough that’s impossible to roll.
Flour Your Tools: Lightly dust your rolling pin and counter with flour every time before rolling. It makes the dough less clingy without making the cookies dry.
Refrigerate Cookie Shapes Before Baking: Putting the cut cookies back into the fridge for a few minutes stops them from spreading too much in the oven.
Watch Your Bake Time Closely: Different ovens vary, so check at 8 minutes! You want just set centers, never browned edges.

How to Serve Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

gingerbread man cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love decorating my gingerbread men with a simple royal icing — just powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla extract. Colored icing, candy eyes, and mini chocolate chips turn these cookies into little festive characters. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter or sanding sugar for some holiday sparkle.

Side Dishes

These spicy gingerbread cookies pair wonderfully with a mug of hot cocoa or a warm chai latte. If you’re hosting a treat table, I suggest adding spiced nuts or a creamy pumpkin dip for an extra cozy vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged gingerbread men on a large platter lined with fresh pine needles and cranberries — it makes for a festive and charming display. Gift boxes with tissue paper and tied with twine are a hit for homemade presents, and you can even attach a little personalized tag to each cookie!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover gingerbread men in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They usually stay soft and delicious for about a week at room temperature if sealed well.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver for this recipe! Just freeze the unbaked dough wrapped tightly in plastic, or bake and freeze the cookies fully cooled. When properly sealed in freezer bags, they keep their flavor and texture for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To refresh frozen baked cookies, I lightly warm them in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F) for 5 minutes. This softens them up without drying them out. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them chewy in an unpleasant way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use light molasses instead of dark molasses in this recipe?

Dark molasses gives gingerbread cookies their characteristic robust flavor and color, but if you only have light molasses, you can use it as a substitute. The flavor will be milder and less intense, so consider adding a little extra spice to compensate.

How do I prevent my gingerbread men from spreading too much while baking?

Chilling both the dough and the cut-out shapes before baking helps prevent spreading. Rolling the dough to the recommended thickness and ensuring the butter is well incorporated but not melted also supports maintaining the cookie shapes.

Can I make this Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix that includes xanthan gum. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different, but the flavor remains delicious.

How long will these cookies last once baked?

Stored properly in an airtight container with parchment layers, these gingerbread men will stay fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze baked cookies for longer storage up to three months without losing quality.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe holds a special place for me — it’s one of those nostalgic recipes that brings everyone to your kitchen, smiling and ready to decorate or just sneak a sweet treat. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing these as I have through the years. Give it a try, and soon enough, gingerbread will *fill* your home with warmth and happiness.