Gingerbread men are an iconic part of the holidays and this recipe has served me well for decades. Perfectly soft but holds its shape and stays fresh for up to a week in an airtight container though they never last that long here. Making a gingerbread sandwich cookie is our favorite way to enjoy them with a dunk in a pool of milk.
Gingerbread men have been a part of our Christmas tradition since we got married. For me, nothing says Christmas like the smell of molasses, ginger, and cloves filling the air. You can use whatever cookie cutters you have but I’ve always been partial to the traditional. Besides, half the fun is decorating them and giving these guys their own holiday flair! The video shows you how to bring it all together and what the recipe should look like in different stages.
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Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
For the icing
- 3 1/2 - 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 1/4 tsp of sea salt
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- To 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, add 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, and give it all a stir to combine then set aside.
- To a mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup shortening, and cream it then add 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tbsp white vinegar and the 1/2 cup molasses.
- Mix until well combined then begin gradually adding the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Until a dough forms.
- **Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap and chill the dough for 2-3 hours.**
- When you’re ready to begin baking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- To a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of softened butter, 1/4 tsp of sea salt, 1 tsp of vanilla extract and cream the ingredients.
- To that gradually add 3 1/2 to 4 cups of powdered sugar.
- To thin the consistency to your preference, add milk by the tsp full until its to your preference.
- Flour your working surface, and place your chilled dough down and a light sprinkle of flour on top. Begin rolling it out until you get it 1/4-1/3” thick.
- Bake them for 5-7 minutes until the edges are just set.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Place your frosting in a disposable piping bag or sandwich bag and just clip the corner.
- Decorate to your liking!
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15 Comments
They are so adorable!
Thank you! We think they’re pretty darn cute!
so cute! the perfect sweet treat for this time of year. Thank you for the recipe and the inspiration.
And thank you for sharing this week on our Encouraging Hearts & Home blog hop!
They are lil sweeties! 😉 Thanks so much!
These look really cute and tasty! Thanks for sharing with Party in Your PJs!
Thank you!
Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread men cookies! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
You know it!!
Your Gingerbread Men are the cutest things ever! Hope you have a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon
Miz Helen
Aww, thanks so much!
These look festive and delicious I am making ginger bread this week
There’s nothing like the smell of gingerbread baking!
My grandchildren love gingerbread. These little men are adorable, and a perfect Christmas treat. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Thank you! They sure make a great way to keep the kids busy decorating while waiting for the festivities to begin!
These are traditional so cute and so very nicely decorated. They look gorgeous.