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Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men

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Soft and chewy gingerbread men, perfect for decorating and holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup molasses (unsulphured preferred)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for royal icing)
  • 4 tablespoons warm water (for royal icing)
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder (for royal icing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (for royal icing)
  • Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the molasses and the egg until fully combined. Scrape the bowl.
  5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
  6. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30–60 minutes.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into gingerbread men with cookie cutters.
  8. Transfer cutouts to prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers still look slightly soft.
  10. Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before decorating.
  11. For the royal icing: In a small bowl, whisk the meringue powder and warm water until frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cream of tartar, beat until smooth and glossy.
  12. Divide and tint portions with gel food coloring. Pipe outlines, then flood with thinner icing and sprinkle if desired. Allow icing to set for several hours or overnight.

Notes

For dairy-free, swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter. For gluten-free, substitute a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum if needed.

Find it online: https://www.wholesomeeasy.com/soft-chewy-gingerbread-men-cookies/