Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies

Make easy gingerbread man cookies with warm spice, soft centers and crisp edges. Simple dough, clean cuts and icing create classic holiday cookies everyone loves.

Love these cookies? Also try gumdrop nougat, easy reindeer cupcakes or some fun chocolate covered strawberry reindeer for the holidays.

Why You’ll Love It

Oh-so-tasty: It’s hard to imagine anyone who doesn’t love gingerbread men. The combination of warmly spiced cookie dough, soft sweet frosting and little candies results in a wonderful cookie that simply melts in the mouth.
The best gingerbread recipe: Perhaps you’ve made gingerbread men before and you weren’t that impressed with the flavor and texture. This recipe is a little different. Instead of using a lot of flour to keep the molasses-heavy dough from being too sticky, the dough is chilled before baking to firm it up without needed to throw in all that flour that would otherwise dull the flavor.
Easy enough for baking newbies: There’s no reason to opt for store-bought gingerbread man cookies, not when it’s this simple to make your own! There’s really nothing difficult about this gingerbread recipe at all.

Gingerbread Man Cookie Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

All purpose flour: Builds structure for crisp edges and tender centers, and dusts the work surface for rolling.
Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and helps the dough bake with defined edges.
Brown sugar: Sweetens and adds moisture for chewy bite.
Molasses: Gives classic color and deep, slightly smoky sweetness.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds tenderness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the spices with a warm finish.
Baking soda: Lifts the dough so cookies bake light yet sturdy.
Spices: Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves create the signature gingerbread flavor.
Powdered sugar: Whisks with a little milk or lemon juice for quick icing and can dust cookies for a snowy look.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Mix the dry ingredients together: Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine the other ingredients: Cream the unsalted butter, white and brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla.
Now combine both mixtures: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix until you have a sandy-textured dough.
Chill the dough: Roll the cookie dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap before freezing it overnight or for at least 4 hours. If you have very sticky dough, don’t worry – that’s because of the molasses and it’ll get less sticky when chilled.
Cut out the gingerbread cookies: Roll out the gingerbread cookie dough on a lightly floured surface and use gingerbread man cookie cutters (here) to cut them out, then arrange on a parchment paper covered baking sheet or several baking sheets.
Preheat oven and bake them: Let the cookies bake in the oven until the edges are crisp, then let them cool completely.
Frost them: Combine white frosting with powdered sugar and pipe this on to the cooled gingerbread cookies to make the eyes, smile and decorate the arms and legs. Decorate with mini M&Ms candies.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten free option: Use a 1:1 gluten free all purpose blend with xanthan gum, chill longer and handle gently.
Dairy free swap: Replace butter with plant based butter and choose a dairy free icing.
Mild or bold spice: Reduce cloves for a softer profile or add extra ginger for more kick.
Molasses tweak: Use light molasses for a gentler flavor or dark for deeper notes.

Serving Suggestions

With a drink: Gingerbread man cookies are great with anything from a cold glass of milk to a pineapple peach smoothie, pumpkin spice latte, salted peanut butter hot chocolate or in fact any other drink you like.
With other gingerbread goodies: If you’re a gingerbread lover, you might like to pair gingerbread trifle or gingerbread cheesecake with your gingerbread people.

How to Store Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Store: This gingerbread man recipe will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. A cookie jar will work but, for optimal freshness, choose an airtight tin or similar container.
Freeze: If you want to freeze your perfectly chewy gingerbread cookies, that is possible and gingerbread freezes well. Wrap each gingerbread man individually.
Thaw: When you’re ready, let the chewy gingerbread man cookies thaw unwrapped at room temperature. Doing it this way prevents condensation which would make them soggy.