Do Share Recipe

Easy Gingerbread Man Recipe | Fun Festive Holiday Cookies

I absolutely loved baking these cookies—it was such a fun afternoon in the kitchen, and the sweet, spicy aroma that filled the air made me smile. I rolled up my sleeves and dove into this easy gingerbread man recipe, and I’m excited to share what I learned along the way.

The dough came together quickly, it rolled beautifully, and in no time I had a tray full of adorable gingerbread men ready to go into the oven. Once they were baked and cooled, decorating them felt like the best part—so much fun!

Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting the finished cookies, or simply indulging in a classic treat, this recipe is one I’ll definitely make again and again. You can also enjoy other festive comfort foods like this delicious one pot spicy pesto cheese baked rigatoni recipe.

Ingredients Section

Here are the ingredients I used (and why each one matters) for the recipe.

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – This gives structure to the cookies and helps them hold their shape nicely when you cut them out.
1 tablespoon ground ginger – The signature spice that gives gingerbread its warm, slightly spicy flavor.
4 tablespoons (about 50 g) unsalted butter – Butter adds richness and helps make the cookies tender. Using unsalted gives you more control over the final flavor.
¼ cup treacle – Treacle adds a deep, slightly bitter-sweet molasses-like flavor and gives the dough its characteristic color and chewiness.
¼ cup brown sugar – Brown sugar brings moisture and mild caramel flavor, perfectly complementing the treacle and ginger.
½ teaspoon baking soda – The leavening agent that helps the cookies spread slightly and stay light instead of dense.
1 egg, lightly beaten – The egg binds everything together and adds moisture so the dough stays workable.

Note: This recipe makes several servings of medium-sized gingerbread men. You can double the ingredients for larger batches.

Variations

If you want to change things up a bit, here are some options I tried or thought about:

Dairy-free: Replace the butter with an equal amount of vegan margarine or coconut oil. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Sugar-free or lower sugar: Use a sugar substitute suitable for baking, or reduce the brown sugar slightly and add a touch more treacle for natural sweetness.
Flavor-enhancing add-ins: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice alongside the ginger for a more complex spice blend. You can also stir in finely chopped candied ginger for an extra zing.
Shape variation: Instead of just gingerbread men, use star, heart, or tree cutters for festive fun. The dough works perfectly for all shapes.

Cooking Time

Here’s how the time breaks down:

Prep Time: 30 minutes (including rolling out the dough)
Cooking Time: 12 minutes per tray
Total Time: 42 minutes

Equipment You Need

Mixing bowl – For combining dry and wet ingredients.
Saucepan or small pot – To gently melt the butter, treacle, and sugar together.
Rolling pin – To roll the dough evenly so all cookies bake the same.
Cookie cutter – For creating the classic gingerbread man shape or any other festive designs.
Baking tray with parchment paper – To prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
Wire rack – For cooling cookies so they stay crisp and don’t become soggy.

How to Make Easy Gingerbread Man Recipe

Let’s break down the process so you can easily follow along and bake perfect cookies every time.

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350 °F (about 180 °C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup later.

Combine the dry ingredients

Sift together the flour and ground ginger into a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, melt the butter, treacle, and brown sugar over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the baking soda—this will foam slightly, making the dough lighter.

Mix the dough

Pour the warm treacle mixture into the dry ingredients and mix lightly with a spoon. Then add the beaten egg and stir until everything comes together into a soft, smooth dough. If it feels sticky, add a touch more flour until it’s easy to handle.

Roll and shape

Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Roll the dough out to about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Use your gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the prepared trays. Gather the scraps, re-roll, and cut again until all the dough is used.

Bake the cookies

Bake one tray at a time for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them during the last minute—they can overbake quickly. Let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Decorate and enjoy

Once completely cool, decorate your gingerbread men with icing, chocolate, or small candies. This is where you can get creative—smiling faces, buttons, or festive designs, it’s all up to you!

You can also try other cozy bakes like this sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken with creamy macaroni cheese recipe for a delicious savory treat.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Here are a few personal tips that made a big difference for me:

I like to chill the dough for about 15–20 minutes before rolling; it makes cutting shapes easier and prevents spreading.
I always roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to avoid sticking without over-flouring.
Keeping a close eye on baking time helps prevent dry cookies—slightly soft centers give the perfect chewy texture.
Always let the cookies cool completely before icing or stacking; warm cookies can ruin your designs.
I bake in small batches so each tray gets consistent heat and perfect results.

How to Serve Easy Gingerbread Man Recipe

Once your cookies are baked and decorated, the fun part begins—serving them! Arrange the gingerbread men on a festive platter or a holiday tray, and dust a little powdered sugar around for a snowy effect. You can also let kids (or guests) decorate their own cookies as part of a fun baking activity.

For gifting, stack a few cookies, tie them with a pretty ribbon or twine, and place them in clear treat bags. Their warm brown color and bright icing details make them not just tasty, but a beautiful edible decoration too.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a rough estimate per medium-sized cookie (values vary based on size):

Calories: ~70-90 kcal
Protein: ~1 g
Carbohydrates: ~10-12 g
Fat: ~3-4 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Storage

Once completely cooled, store your gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week.

Freezing

You can freeze baked, undecorated cookies. First, freeze them flat on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag with parchment between layers. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw at room temperature before decorating.

Dough in advance

You can also prepare the dough ahead of time. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow it to soften slightly before rolling.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons this gingerbread man recipe has become a favorite of mine.

It’s super easy: Simple steps and minimal equipment make it perfect for beginners or family baking.
It’s versatile: The dough can be shaped, flavored, and decorated however you like.
It’s festive and fun: These cookies fill your home with a cozy holiday scent and bring joy to any gathering.
It’s great for gifting: Homemade gingerbread men make thoughtful, personal gifts for friends and neighbors.
It’s customizable: You can tweak the spices, sweetness, or texture to suit your taste perfectly.

Baking this simple yet delicious gingerbread man recipe was such a rewarding experience for me—from mixing and rolling to watching those little figures bake and decorating them with a big smile. I hope you’ll enjoy making them as much as I did and that they become a sweet, nostalgic favorite in your kitchen too!

Ben Carraoli