Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing

Introduction

Few holiday treats capture the spirit of Christmas quite like Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing. Their warm, spiced aroma fills the kitchen with festive cheer, instantly reminding us of cozy winter evenings, twinkling lights, and cherished traditions. With their charming little shapes, decorated with smiles, buttons, and colorful accents, these cookies are not only delicious but also a joy to create.

The gingerbread men are soft yet slightly crisp on the edges, with a deep, rich flavor thanks to molasses, brown sugar, and a blend of holiday spices. Paired with crisp royal icing for decoration, these cookies aren’t just a treat — they’re an experience. Whether you’re baking them for a family gathering, holiday party, or gifting them to friends, gingerbread men are the heart and soul of festive baking.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s more than just about making cookies — it’s about creating holiday memories. Rolling out the dough, cutting fun shapes, and decorating them with royal icing is a tradition that never gets old. These cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat!

Another reason I love them is the flavor balance: the rich molasses paired with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves makes each bite taste like Christmas. The royal icing adds a sweet crunch, making them perfectly festive.

Finally, this recipe is wonderfully versatile — you can make them crispier or softer depending on your preference, and the decorating possibilities are endless. Each gingerbread man becomes its own little work of art!

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This recipe is a must-try because it’s:

• Iconic: Gingerbread men are one of the most recognizable Christmas cookies.
• Fun for all ages: Kids love cutting out shapes and decorating, while adults enjoy the nostalgic taste.
• Customizable: Make them simple or extravagant with decorations.
• Perfect for gifting: Wrap them in festive bags or tins for the ultimate homemade holiday gift.

Once you bake a batch, you’ll understand why gingerbread men are a holiday baking essential.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Chilling Time: 1 hour
• Cooking Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
• Servings: About 24 cookies
• Calories: ~160 per cookie (with icing)
• Course: Dessert / Holiday Treat
• Cuisine: European / American

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 egg whites (or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional, for decoration)

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the Dough
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
   • In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
   • Gradually stir in dry ingredients until dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough
   • Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Roll & Cut
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
   • Use gingerbread man cookie cutters (or other festive shapes) and transfer to lined baking sheets.
4. Bake
   • Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are set.
   • Let cookies cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
5. Make the Royal Icing
   • Beat egg whites (or meringue powder + water) until frothy.
   • Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice, beating until smooth and glossy.
   • Tint with food coloring if desired.
6. Decorate
   • Use piping bags with fine tips to outline and fill designs.
   • Allow icing to set completely (at least 1–2 hours) before stacking or storing.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Whisk dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, spices).
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Mix in egg, molasses, and vanilla.
4. Add dry ingredients; form dough.
5. Chill dough (1 hour).
6. Roll out dough, cut shapes.
7. Bake 8–10 minutes.
8. Cool cookies.
9. Prepare royal icing.
10. Decorate and let icing set.

How to Serve

• Arrange cookies on a festive platter with hot cocoa or spiced cider.
• Wrap individually in clear bags with ribbons for gifts.
• Place in cookie jars or holiday tins to share with friends and family.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip chilling — it prevents cookies from spreading.
• Roll dough evenly for uniform baking.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing without thinning it.
• Keep royal icing covered with plastic wrap when not in use to prevent drying out.

Variations

• Soft Gingerbread Cookies: Roll dough slightly thicker and bake for less time.
• Crispier Gingerbread Cookies: Roll thinner and bake a few minutes longer.
• Chocolate Gingerbread: Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder.
• Decorative Twist: Add silver dragees, mini M&Ms, or edible glitter for festive details.

Freezing & Storage

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Refrigerator: Keep decorated cookies up to 10 days.
• Freezing Dough: Freeze dough discs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before rolling.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies for 2–3 months, then ice after thawing.

Special Equipment Needed

• Rolling pin
• Gingerbread man cookie cutters
• Baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats
• Piping bags with fine tips for icing
• Wire cooling rack

Conclusion

Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing aren’t just cookies — they’re the essence of holiday joy. From their spiced aroma to their adorable decorated faces, they bring warmth, fun, and cheer to every celebration. With this recipe, you can create cookies that taste as good as they look, perfect for parties, gifting, or cozy nights in. Once you bake them, they’ll become a holiday tradition you’ll look forward to year after year.

Print Recipe

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Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 25 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 35 mins

Servings: 24 Calories: 160kcal per cookie

Description

Few holiday treats capture the spirit of Christmas quite like Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing. Their warm, spiced aroma fills the kitchen with festive cheer, instantly reminding us of cozy winter evenings, twinkling lights, and cherished traditions.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Gingerbread Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup (1 stick)
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 egg whites (or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract; mix until combined. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Roll & Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters (or other festive shapes) and transfer to lined baking sheets.
4. Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are set. Let cookies cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
5. Make the Royal Icing: Beat egg whites (or meringue powder + water) until frothy. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice, beating until smooth and glossy. Tint with food coloring if desired.
6. Decorate: Use piping bags with fine tips to outline and fill designs. Allow icing to set completely (at least 1–2 hours) before stacking or storing.

Keywords: Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing