Old Fashioned Gingerbread Men

These Old Fashioned Gingerbread Men are such a fab tradition for the holidays. Kids LOVE them, and they are great for little hands to help decorate. My boys usually eat more frosting than they get on the cookies, but it’s all part of the fun.

These gingerbread cookies are heirloom quality. The recipe is simple, but the ingredients and technique matter to get that perfect edge-to-center ratio of crispness. Soft in the middle with a slightly crispy outside, these are perfectly spiced molasses-y brown sugar goodness. If your family doesn’t have this recipe yet it should be on their holiday cookie list!

Here’s what you’ll need

Gingerbread Ingredients:

3 C flour
1  1/2  tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 TBSP ground ginger
1 3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
6 TBSP unsalted butter, room temp
3/4 C brown sugar
1 egg. room temp
1/2 C molasses
2 tsp vanilla

Icing Ingredients:

4 egg whites
2 C powder sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar

Gingerbread  Cookie Directions:

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.

Beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.  Next add molasses, vanilla and continue to mix until well blended.

Gradually add then stir  in the dry ingredients until blended and smooth.

Divide dough in half and wrap them in cling wrap and let stand at room temperature for at least 2  hours. (If this is too sticky, put the dough into the refrigerator for an hour or two.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line the  cookie sheet  with parchment paper.

Put a half of the dough on a lightly floured cutting board. Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin. Roll dough to about 1/4-inch. Use additional flour to avoid sticking if necessary.

Cut out cookies with the gingerbread man. When putting the unbaked cookies on the cookie sheet make sure that they do not touch.

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Remove cookie sheet from oven allowing  the cookies to cool before moving to the wire rack.

Icing Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring). If icing is  not stiff enough add 1/4 C powder sugar.

Spoon the icing into a piping bag with a #2 tips…. twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

Decorate to your heart’s content. 

You can use various candies to help decorate, as well! Just make sure the kids don’t eat them all!

If you liked this post, please don’t forget to like and share it. And check back tomorrow to see what’s in store for Day 10!