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- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step is crucial for making the dough easier to roll and cut.
- Roll and Cut:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter (or any festive shape you prefer) to cut out the cookies.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you like, you can use a toothpick to gently mark spots for buttons or decoration before baking.
- Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the cookies are slightly puffed. Be careful not to overbake to keep them soft and chewy.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before decorating.
How to Decorate:
- Royal Icing:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, pipe royal icing onto each gingerbread man for eyes, buttons, and a smile. You can use a fine piping tip for detailed designs or a thicker tip for bigger features.
- For a more traditional look, you can outline the edges of the cookies with royal icing for a neat and polished appearance.
- Add Fun Details:
- Use mini M&Ms, gumdrops, or colorful sprinkles to decorate the cookies. You can add them as buttons, scarves, or even to the arms and legs.
- Dust the cookies with colored sugar for a festive, sparkly effect.
- Finishing Touches:
- If you want to get really creative, you can make different expressions for the gingerbread men—smiling, winking, or even surprised faces!
Pro Tips:
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the dough hold its shape while baking and prevents spreading.
- Baking Tip: For softer cookies, bake for the shorter time range (around 8 minutes) and let them cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Personalized Gingerbread Men: Add accessories like tiny icing scarves or hats to give your gingerbread men more personality!
These Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Men Cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift exchanges, or just enjoying with family while sipping hot cocoa. Whether you keep them simple or go all out with decorating, they’ll be a holiday favorite! Are you thinking of decorating them in a specific theme or color palette? 🎄🍪
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