Two of the things I love the most in the entire world include Christmas, and cookies. So for basically all of November and December, you can likely find me with some form of Christmas cookie or another.
I like lots of different Christmas cookies {including these Blue Crinkle Cookies & these Hot Cocoa Cookies!} but I think the most famous Christmas cookie of all is the Gingerbread Man.
With stories, songs, and tons of holiday decor modeled after this little guy, it’s just not Christmas without lots of little gingerbread men {and women, and kids}!
If you’re looking for a fun new tradition to start this year, why not try making your own Gingerbread family? These cookies are way easier to make than you’d think, and it’s so much fun to get the whole family involved in making a whole town full of Gingerbread people! {If you’re feeling extra creative, make some Gingerbread Houses to go with them!}
What Kind of Icing Do You Use with Gingerbread Men?
I’ve included my go-to recipe for icing Gingerbread Men below- it has just the right consistency to stand up enough for proper decoration but is easy enough to work with to get just the right design.
If you have a recipe you prefer you can totally use that, but think about if that icing recipe will work well for fine details like eyes and buttons.
Alternatively, you can use premade icing. You’ll want something that has a fine tip {or icing that you add to your own bag} so that you can get that precise tip. Wilton’s Cookie Icing {affiliate link} is PERFECT for this task- and comes in lots of colors!
Are these Gluten Free Gingerbread Man Cookies?
This recipe as published is not gluten-free, however you can make it gluten-free by just swapping out the flour for a gluten-free variety. All the rest of the ingredients are gluten-free already!
Tip: When making gluten-free cookie dough, it works better when given a day to rest in the fridge.
If you’re altering these to make them gluten-free and you have the time, I suggest making the dough the day before. {Even if you aren’t making that change, this recipe is even better if the dough has time to chill overnight!}
Can the Kids Help?
Kids can ALWAYS help in the kitchen! This is SUCH a fun recipe to make and doubles as an excellent family holiday activity.
For this recipe, I’d suggest having them help by measuring and pouring, mixing ingredients, rolling out the dough, cutting out the cookies, and of COURSE, decorating!
I’d also suggest that you help a little extra with the oven {of course}, as well as making sure the dough is to the right thickness- about 1/4 inch.
Older kids may be able to do this on their own but this is an important step so it’s always worth double checking to avoid disappointment!
What Supplies Do You Need to Make Gingerbread Cookies?
To make these Gingerbread Man Cookies, you’ll need:
{These links are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!}
- Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter
- Baking Sheets
- Silicone Baking Mat {or parchment paper}
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Medium Bowl
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula {one of my FAVORITE kitchen tools}
- Rolling pin
- Sprinkles, etc. to decorate {pick your favorites!}
- Wire Rack
- If making your own icing {recipe below}: Decorator icing bag and Small Round Tip
- If not: Cookie Icing
Hungry for More?
Want more delicious cookie recipes? Try these:
- Nutella Monster Cookies
- Coffee Infused Crinkle Cookies
- Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Red Velvet Cookies
And don’t miss these Gingerbread Muffins!
Gingerbread Cookies
Yield: 36-40
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
These adorable Gingerbread Man {and woman!} cookies are SO cute and so much fun to bake and decorate! This recipe doubles as a fun holiday activity to do with your kids and is perfect for any holiday occasion!
Ingredients
- ●1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ●1 cup granulated sugar
- ●1 cup molasses
- ●¼ cup water
- ●5 cups all-purpose flour
- ●2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ●2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ●1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ●½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ●¼ teaspoon salt
- Icing
- ●3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ●2-3 tablespoons milk
- ●1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
- ●2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ●Decorations - candies, sprinkles
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.
Add molasses and water and beat until well combined
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and additional dry ingredients
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until well combined and scraping down the bowl after each addition
Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic
Place in refrigerator at least 2 hours up to overnight
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat
Remove from refrigerator and let warm up about 10 minutes
Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface
Cut with cookie cutter and place on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart
Bake for 12-14 minutes or until set around the edge
Remove and let cool slightly on baking sheet, then remove to wire rack to cool completely
Icing
In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, corn syrup, clear vanilla extract (regular is fine, clear makes the icing really white) and 2 tablespoons milk.
Whisk together, add more milk a little at a time if needed
Fit a decorator icing bag with a small round tip and fill with icing
Decorate as desired
