Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out the dough)

1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup molasses

1 large egg, room temperature

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4 tablespoons warm water

2 tablespoons meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside.

Step 2: In another bowl, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together until fluffy and smooth.

Step 3: Add the molasses and the egg to the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine.

Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 6: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: To make the royal icing, whisk together the powdered sugar, warm water, meringue powder, and cream of tartar until smooth and glossy.

Step 8: Decorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing and add sprinkles as desired. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.

Tips & Variations

For extra soft cookies, avoid overbaking and check them closely starting at 8 minutes.

Substitute molasses with dark corn syrup if preferred, though flavor will be slightly different.

Use gel food coloring to tint the royal icing for a festive look.

Chilling the dough longer can make rolling and cutting easier.

Storage

Store cooled gingerbread men cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If decorated with royal icing, allow the icing to fully harden before storing to prevent smudging. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before decorating.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 1 month. Just be sure to thaw completely before rolling out.

What can I use instead of meringue powder for the royal icing?

If you don’t have meringue powder, you can use pasteurized egg whites as a substitute. Adjust the liquid amounts accordingly and mix until you reach the desired consistency.