Perfectly Soft Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe cravings hit hardest when the weather turns crisp and you want something cozy, soft, and sweet. Maybe you have a holiday party coming up, or you just want a bake that makes your house smell like warm spices and nostalgia. I get it. You want cookies that hold their shape, taste like gingerbread, and still have that sugar cookie softness. This is the version I bake on repeat for friends and family, and it never lasts long on the counter. Let me show you how I make the dough tender, the edges clean, and the spice level just right.

 

Key Ingredients in Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredient list

These are the ingredients that give my cookies their perfect soft bite and classic gingerbread flavor while still feeling like a sugar cookie. Everything is simple and pantry-friendly.

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch for an ultra-soft texture
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temp
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 large egg, room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons milk or cream for softness, as needed

If you need a gluten free option, swap the flour with a one-to-one baking blend and add a touch more milk to bring the dough together. For more tips on this swap, take a peek at these gluten free gingerbread cookies.

Why these ingredients work

Cornstarch keeps the crumb delicate and soft. The combination of brown and white sugar gives sweetness with a hint of caramel depth. Molasses is non-negotiable for gingerbread flavor and moist texture. A balance of baking soda and baking powder ensures lift without puffing so much that your little gingerbread people lose their edges. The milk helps hydrate dry flour pockets and prevents cracking when you roll and cut.

Since people always ask, yes, these are genuinely soft gingerbread men that eat like sugar cookies. That is the magic of this Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe. It is both sturdy enough for cutting shapes and soft enough to please fans of chewy sugar cookies.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies

Step-by-step

Here is the exact path I follow. I keep it clear and simple so you can bake without stress.

1. Cream the butter and sugars. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until fully combined. Scrape the bowl.

2. Add molasses. Mix in the molasses until the mixture is smooth and a deep caramel color. It should smell like cozy holiday evenings.

3. Whisk the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Add to the wet ingredients in two additions. If the dough seems dry or crumbly, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it just comes together.

4. Chill. Press the dough into two flat disks, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps flavors bloom and keeps the shapes sharp.

5. Roll and cut. Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out your gingerbread men and place on parchment lined baking sheets.

6. Bake. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size. Pull them when the edges look set and the centers are still a little soft. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

7. Decorate. Once cool, decorate with your favorite icing and sprinkles. This is where the personality kicks in.

I keep a backup batch of dough wrapped in the fridge, because this Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe tends to disappear quickly. Want another fun cookie idea for a bake swap or cozy night in? Try these tender Apple Pie Cookies for a fruity twist that pairs beautifully with winter spices.

Make ahead and storage

Dough: Chill up to 3 days. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then roll and cut.

Baked cookies: Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Freeze decorated or plain for up to 2 months, layering with parchment.

Re-soften: If cookies firm up, place a slice of fresh bread in the container overnight to restore softness.

How to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies

You can go classic with royal icing or keep it easy with a thick vanilla glaze. Either way, keep the cookies completely cool before decorating for clean lines and no smudges.

Simple decorating ideas

Easy vanilla glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk and a drop of vanilla until smooth and pipeable. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Use a squeeze bottle or a small piping bag for details like smiles, buttons, and scarf lines.

Royal icing for crisp details: Whisk 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder, and 3 to 4 tablespoons water until thick but flowing. Start thicker for outline, then add a few drops of water to thin for flooding. Keep a damp towel over the bowl so it does not crust over.

Decor add-ins: Mini chocolate chips for eyes, cinnamon imperials for buttons, or soft sprinkles for scarves. For a peppermint vibe, crushed candy canes are adorable. For more festive cookie decor inspo, peek at these peppermint candy sugar cookies for color and crunch ideas.

We baked these with our kids on a snowy afternoon, and the cookies were soft, easy to decorate, and stayed cute after baking. The spices are warm but not too strong and the texture is spot on.

This Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe gives you a soft base that holds icing beautifully without crumbling. If you prefer a lightly sweet cookie as your canvas, you will love how smooth this icing sits on top.

Similar Posts

If you are planning a cookie box or looking for more holiday bakes, try these reader favorites. They all play nicely with gingerbread flavors and look great together.

Santa Sugar Cookies for a cheerful cookie plate centerpiece that kids love.

Peppermint Candy Sugar Cookies for a minty crunch that pairs well with spiced cookies.

5 Minute Christmas Bauble Cookies when you need fast, cute treats with minimal fuss.

Reader Comments and Reviews

Jess, home baker: I followed the recipe as written and they turned out soft and held their shape perfectly. I iced them the next day and they were still tender.

Mark, cookie swap fan: The molasses level is perfect. Not bitter, just warm. I took a batch to work and got multiple requests for the recipe.

Nina, mom of two: We used mini M&Ms for buttons and a simple glaze. My kids had a blast decorating. This Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe is going in our yearly rotation.

Eric, first time decorator: I appreciated the notes on chilling and rolling thickness. No spread and the edges were crisp. The spice blend is spot on.

Common Questions

Do I have to chill the dough? Yes. Chilling for at least 1 hour helps flavors deepen and keeps the dough firm so the cookies hold their shape.

My dough looks dry. What should I do? Sprinkle in milk a teaspoon at a time until it just comes together. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as it forms a soft dough.

Can I make these without molasses? Molasses is key to classic gingerbread flavor. If you must substitute, use dark brown sugar and a little honey, but the taste will be lighter.

How thick should I roll the dough? About 1/4 inch. Thinner cookies bake faster and can get crisp, thicker ones stay soft and chewy.

How long do they stay soft? Kept in an airtight container, they stay soft 3 to 5 days. You can add a slice of bread to the container to maintain moisture.

A Sweet Little Wrap Up

If you love a tender crumb, warm spice, and clean cut shapes, this Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookies Recipe belongs in your holiday lineup. Keep the dough chilled, roll evenly, and bake just until set for that perfect softness. If you want to compare spice levels or try a classic take, check out My Favorite Gingerbread Cookies for more inspiration. I hope you bake a batch, crank up the holiday playlist, and decorate with someone you love. Snap a photo and tell me how your cookie crew turned out.

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