Gingerbread Men Cookies are a Christmas Classic! These are your favorite gingerbread cookies in the shape of men! Your kids will love these festive cookies for Christmas and more.
Gingerbread men cookies are a tradition, which is why it can be challenging to find them in stores during the holiday season. Making your own gingerbread men cookies is a great way to bring the tradition into your home for you and your family.
Who doesn’t love gingerbread? The smell of freshly baked gingerbread men cookies seems to spread through the whole house, and we all know that they taste even better!
Making your own gingerbread men cookies is easier than you may think! All you need is some flour, brown sugar, butter, baking soda and salt. With only a few ingredients like these, you can make some delicious sweet memories with your family this holiday season!
This recipe is a classic holiday treat that will be a hit at any family dinner or party.
About the Recipe
This recipe works well because the ingredient list is short and nothing is hard to find. The dough is forgiving, so even if you are new to baking, you will get good results. Golden syrup gives the biscuits a lovely stickiness and depth of flavour that plain sugar cannot match. The ginger is warming but not overpowering, which makes these biscuits enjoyable for most palates.
You can shape them however you like, though a gingerbread man cutter makes the process faster and more fun. The currants or icing add personality without much extra effort.
Why you will love this recipe
The dough is easy to handle and does not require chilling, which means you can go from mixing to baking in under half an hour. It rolls out smoothly on a floured surface and holds its shape well in the oven, so your gingerbread men look like gingerbread men when they come out. The flavour is balanced, with enough ginger to taste but not so much that it becomes sharp.
You also have two decoration options depending on your mood or occasion. Currants are quick and give a rustic look, while piped cream or icing lets you get more creative. Either way, the biscuits taste good and look cheerful on a plate.
Cooking Tips
Make sure your butter is cold and firm when you rub it into the flour. This keeps the texture crumbly and prevents the dough from becoming greasy. If the dough feels sticky, dust your work surface with a little extra flour, but do not overdo it or the biscuits will turn out dry. Watch the oven closely in the last few minutes because the biscuits can go from golden to too dark quickly. If you plan to decorate with cream or icing, let the biscuits cool completely first so the decoration does not melt or slide off.
Serving and Storing Suggestions
This recipe makes about 12 to 15 gingerbread men depending on the size of your cutter. Total prep and baking time is around 30 minutes. Serve them with a cup of tea or hot chocolate, or pack them into tins for gifting. Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
They stay crisp for the first few days and then soften slightly, which some people actually prefer. If you want to freeze them, layer them between parchment paper and they will keep for up to two months.
Similar Recipes
- Shortbread Biscuits
- Sugar Cookies
- Spiced Molasses Cookies
- Cinnamon Snaps
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nutrient Benefits
These biscuits provide a quick source of energy from the flour and sugar, which makes them a nice pick me up with your afternoon tea. Ginger has natural warming properties and is often used to support digestion and soothe an upset stomach. The egg adds a small amount of protein, while the butter contributes some fat that helps you feel satisfied.
Light brown sugar contains trace minerals like calcium and potassium, though the amounts are modest. Enjoy these biscuits as an occasional treat rather than an everyday snack.
Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
- 175 g Plain Flour (Maida)
- 85 g Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Soda Bicarbonate
- 1 tsp Ginger Powder
- 50 g Butter rubbed into fine breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp Golden Syrup
- 1 Small Egg beaten
- Black Currants to garnish
Instructions
- Combine the maida, soda bicarb and ginger in a bowl.
- Add the butter and sugar.
- Now add the golden syrup and egg.
- Mix well to form a smooth dough.
- Divide the dough into 2 portions.
- Roll out one half onto a lightly floured surface.
- Cut out gingerbread men using a cutter and place them on a greased baking tray.
- Use the currants to make eyes and buttons.
- Repeat until all dough is used up.
- Place the tray in a preheated oven at 190C for about 10 minutes until the biscuits turn slightly dark.
- Remove and cool.
Notes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use white sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, you can substitute white sugar, but the biscuits will taste slightly less rich. Light brown sugar adds a hint of molasses flavour that works well with the ginger.
What can I use if I do not have golden syrup?
Honey or maple syrup will work in a pinch, though the flavour will be a bit different. Corn syrup is another option if you have it on hand.
How do I know when the biscuits are done?
They should be slightly darker around the edges and firm to the touch in the centre. They continue to firm up as they cool, so do not wait for them to look completely hard in the oven.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can wrap the dough tightly in cling film and refrigerate it for up to two days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before rolling so it softens slightly.
Why did my biscuits spread too much in the oven?
This usually happens if the butter was too soft when you mixed the dough or if the oven temperature was too low. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 190C before baking.
