Nothing says holiday cheer quite like the smell of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven. These Soft Gingerbread Man Cookies are a delicious blend of warm spices and molasses, creating a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. Perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles, they’re great for holiday baking with family or as a festive gift for loved ones.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Incorporate wet ingredients: Add the molasses and evaporated milk, mixing until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Shape and chill: Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step ensures the dough is firm enough to roll and cut.
Step 3: Roll and Cut
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut shapes: Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Decorate (Optional)
- Prepare decorations: Use icing, sprinkles, or candies to decorate your gingerbread men as desired. Let the decorations set before serving or storing.
FAQs
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance. Keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to use.
How Should I Store These Cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Can I Use Regular Milk Instead of Evaporated Milk?
While evaporated milk gives a slightly richer flavor, regular milk can be used as a substitute.
