Introduction
Enjoy the warmth and familiarity of holiday baking with this delightful gingerbread men recipe. These charming cookies not only fill your kitchen with a rich, spicy aroma but also provide a fun activity for the whole family. From mixing the ingredients to decorating your gingerbread creations, this recipe offers a perfect blend of flavor and festivity. Let’s dive into the details of what you need to make these timeless treats!
Detailed Ingredients with measures
1/2 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
1/4 cup cold water
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
Icing Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Green and red gel food coloring
Disposable piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (includes cooling)
Yield: Approximately 24 gingerbread men cookies
Enjoy the process of creating these delightful gingerbread men, and don’t forget to share them with family and friends!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a standing mixer, beat together the softened unsalted sweet cream butter, sugar, large egg, and molasses until well combined. Add the cold water and mix until thoroughly combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and allspice evenly to ensure even distribution of spices.
Step 4: Integrate Dry Ingredients with Wet Mixture
Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet mixture of butter and sugars in the standing mixer until a dough forms.
Step 5: Roll Out the Dough
Dust a clean, floured surface with flour and roll the dough out to a thickness of 1/4 inch to ensure well-structured cookies.
Step 6: Cut Cookies
Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Transfer the cut cookies to the prepared cookie sheet.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to firm up.
Step 8: Cool the Cookies
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating.
Step 9: Prepare the Icing
In a clean standing mixer, combine egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix on high until the mixture is well combined and stiff peaks form.
Step 10: Color the Icing
Divide the icing evenly into three separate bowls. Add 1-2 drops of green gel food coloring to one bowl, a few drops of red gel food coloring to the second bowl, and keep the third bowl plain. Mix each until the desired shade is achieved.
Step 11: Assemble Piping Bags
Scoop about 1/4 cup of each colored icing into separate disposable piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip, ready for decoration.
Step 12: Decorate the Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cooled, use the colored icing to decorate them as desired for festive flair.
Step 13: Dry the Icing
Allow the decorated cookies to sit for about an hour to let the icing dry and set properly before serving.
Notes
Storage Information
Homemade baked gingerbread men can be stored in an airtight container for up to three to five days to maintain freshness.
Cook techniques
Mixing Wet Ingredients
In a standing mixer, begin by creaming the softened unsalted sweet cream butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the molasses and large egg, followed by the cold water, mixing until fully combined. This process helps to incorporate air into the mixture, contributing to lighter cookies.
Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and allspice. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour, enhancing the flavor of the gingerbread cookies.
Rolling Out Dough
After the wet and dry ingredients are combined, roll the dough out on a floured surface to a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch. This is crucial for even baking and achieving the right texture in the cookies.
Cutting Cookie Shapes
Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Ensure that you press down firmly to create defined edges for clean and distinct cookie shapes.
Baking Cookies
Place the cut-out cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 10 minutes or until they are firm. Allowing the cookies to cool completely afterward helps in preventing the icing from melting.
Making Icing
For the icing, beat together egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. This technique creates a thick, sturdy icing that is ideal for decorating the cookies.
Coloring Icing
Divide the stiff icing into three bowls and add gel food coloring as desired. Mixing thoroughly ensures a uniform color throughout the icing, suitable for festive designs.
Piping Techniques
Use disposable piping bags fitted with a number 2 tip to pipe the colored icing onto the cooled gingerbread cookies. Control the pressure to create crisp lines and detailed designs without overwhelming the cookie.
Drying Icing
Allow the decorated cookies to rest for at least an hour so the icing can dry and set, ensuring that designs remain intact before serving or storing.
FAQ
How should I store the gingerbread cookies?
Store the homemade gingerbread men in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to three to five days.
Can I use different spices in this recipe?
Absolutely! You can experiment with other spices such as cinnamon or cloves to customize the flavor to your liking.
What can I do if the dough is too sticky?
If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a workable consistency.
How do I achieve different colors for icing?
You can adjust the intensity of colors by adding more or fewer drops of gel food coloring and mixing thoroughly until the desired shade is reached.
Can I make the cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to decorate them.
Conclusion
These delightful gingerbread cookies, infused with warm spices and decorated with colorful icing, make for a festive treat perfect for any holiday occasion. They are easy to prepare, and the result is a charming batch of cookies that can be enjoyed by all. The homemade icing adds a personal touch, making the decorating process just as fun as eating them. Store them properly, and they will remain fresh for several days, allowing you to share joy and sweetness with family and friends.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Spiced Sugar Cookies
Swap out some flour for cornstarch to create soft spiced sugar cookies. Add cinnamon and vanilla to elevate the flavor and decorate them with a simple icing or sugar sprinkles.
Pumpkin Ginger Snaps
Add canned pumpkin to the dough for a moist and flavorful twist. Increase the ginger and add cinnamon for a cozy taste reminiscent of fall.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Incorporate cocoa powder into the dough to create rich chocolate gingerbread cookies. Pair them with a cream cheese frosting for a delightful contrast.
Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Transform the gingerbread recipe by rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking to create classic crinkle cookies, enhancing their texture and sweetness.
Holiday Spiced Biscotti
Take the spicy flavors from the gingerbread and create a biscotti version. Double-bake for a crunchy snack that pairs deliciously with coffee or tea.
Gingerbread Cake Bars
Turn the dough into a cake-like bar by pouring it into a baking dish. Frost with a cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with crushed nuts for added texture.
Decorative Cookie Ornaments
Use the gingerbread dough to create cookie ornaments. After baking, use royal icing to decorate and hang them on your holiday tree.
