Gingerbread Man Cookies are a classic holiday treat. This recipe doesn’t require chilling like most do, and is loaded with the classic ginger flavor you want. A perfect addition to your list of Christmas Cookies, these gingerbread cookies will soon be a family-favorite recipe.

Everyone loves gingerbread man cookies. “Run Run as fast as you can, You’ll never catch me I’m the gingerbread man.” These cookies are delicious and just plain fun.
Of course, I had to have this recipe on my list for this year. It is simple to whip up, and since you don’t have to chill this recipe like others, you can make these cookies right away. The classic Christmas cookie is made with a cookie cutter shaped like a man, but we use all different shapes and make these as a substitute for other popular holiday cut-out cookie recipes.
Ingredients you will need:
(full amounts in recipe box below)
- Butter – you will need unsalted butter.
- Sweeteners: granulated sugar and Molasses are combined for a flavorful sweetener.
- Eggs: only 1 egg is needed.
- Flour: your typical all-purpose flour is used for this recipe.
- Spices: Ginger, Nutmeg and Allspice
- Cream of tarter: this adds a light and fluffy texture to the cookies.
- Flavoring: real vanilla extract works best.
- Powder sugar: you will need this for the icing.
- Decorating: Wilton Holly Decorations

How to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350 and prepare cookie sheets.
- Using a mixer, combine the wet ingredients.
- In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet.
- Roll the gingerbread dough on a floured surface until it is about a 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a cookie cutter and cut out gingerman cookie shape.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely.




Gingerbread Man Cookie Icing:
- Make the icing using a stand mixer. Combine the egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla and powder sugar. Combine until it forms stiff peaks.
- Scoop icing into the piping bag
- Decorate your cookies however you want.
Molasses Substitution:
There are a few different ways to substitute molasses if you do not have it on hand. You can use an equal amount of dark corn syrup, honey or maple syrup. While this will slightly change the taste slightly, you can still make these cookies without molasses. The richness gives it a deeper flavor and color, so don’t be surprised if they aren’t as rich.
Where Can I Find a Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter?
You can find a gingerbread man cookie cutter online at places like Amazon. You can also find it at craft stores that have a cake decorating section or in the holiday aisles at stores like Walmart. Remember, while a gingerbread man cookie, of course, would traditionally look like this, you can use any shape cutter. The cookies will be fantastic no matter what shape they are cut into!

Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Another great way to use Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutters is to flip them upside-down and decorate them like Reindeer’s. Decorate using Chocolate Icing. Use white and black icing for the eyes (or substitute candy eyes) and a red hot candy for the nose. So easy and cute!


Gingerbread Man Cookies
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Cutter
- 1 Rolling Pin
- 1 Stand Mixer
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Measuring Cups Dry Ingredients
- 1 Measuring Cups Wet Ingredients
- Parchment Paper
- Icing Bag and Tips
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Icing
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 tsp cream of tarter
- 3 cups powered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 disposable piping bags with #2 tip
- 1 jar Wilton Holly Sprinkles
Video
Notes
Cookie Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheet with parchment paper
- Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, and molasses and egg
- Add in the water and mix until combined
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, and the spices
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients into the wet
- Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch in thickness
- Using your favorite gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut out your shapes
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes
- Allow to cool completely
Icing
-
Using the standing mixer, combine the egg whites, cream of tarter, vanilla and powder sugar and mix until combined and stiff peaks form
-
Scoop icing into the piping bag
-
Decorate your cookies how ever you want.
-
Allow icing to dry for a hour before enjoying!