In this instructable I will show you how to make gingerbread cookies. This gingerbread men cookie recipe is easy to make, and great to have around during the holidays. You can make them a little softer or nice and crunchy depending on your tastes. You can decorate the gingerbread cookies with frosting, or leave them completely plain, get creative with the cookies. Let's get baking! :)

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both! :)

Step 1: Ingredients/Tools

You may print the recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose (plain) flour (360g)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (7g)
3/4 tsp. of baking soda (4g)
1/2 tsp. of salt (3g)
1 Tbsp. ground ginger (15g)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon (10g)
1/4 tsp. ground cloves (1g)
6 Tbsp. softened unsalted butter (85g)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (150g)
1 large egg
1/2 cup of molasses (or substitute with maple syrup)
2 tsp. of vanilla extract

Tools:

bowl
whisk
hand mixer or stand mixer
sheet pan or cookie sheet
parchment paper or silicone baking mat
plastic wrap
spatula
rolling pin

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

First let's add our softened butter to a large bowl. Then add our brown sugar. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix until well combined.

Step 3: Vanilla, Egg, Molasses

Now let's add in our vanilla extract and large egg. Blend those well until combined. Next add in the molasses or if you don't have molasses you can substitute with maple syrup. Again mix until combined.

Step 4: Whisk Those Dry Ingredients

Now lets add all of our dry ingredients to the flour. Mix well with a whisk or sift them all together.

Step 5: Finishing the Dough

Now we will add in the flour mixture little by little, scraping the sides as needed. At some point if you are using a hand mixer you will need to stop and use a wooden spoon or use your hands to mix in the remaining flour. The dough gets pretty thick. If you using a stand mixer, a paddle attachment works well.

Step 6: Knead, Wrap, Chill

Now we knead the dough a bit on the table until it all comes together. Cut the dough in half and form each half into a disc. Next wrap it with plastic wrap and put them in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.

Step 7: Roll, Cut, Place

Now we take out our dough and then divide each disc again in half. It makes it easier to work with a smaller bit of dough. Use flour on your work surface and on your rolling pin, to keep the dough from sticking. Roll it out until it is about 1/4th of an inch thick. You can make them a bit thicker if you want, and especially if you want them to be softer. Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes and cut them out.

Step 8: Cut and Bake

Now just gather up the little scraps and combine again into a ball then roll it out again and repeat the process, adding flour on the surface as necessary. Once you have a sheet pan with a silicon mat or parchment paper filled up, bake at 375 F or 190 C, for 7 to 10 minutes. start with 7 minutes, with your first batch and see where that gets you. The longer you bake them the more crunchy they will get. It is always good to start with small batches first and experiment with baking times, to get your favorite softness or crunchiness. Once they come out of the oven, let them sit for a few minutes before transferring them to a cookie rack. If you want them softer, take them off as soon as possible, because they keep cooking while on the hot pan.

Step 9: Decorate and Eat!

Now let's decorate those cookies. You can certainly leave them as is as well if you like. Use a piping bag with frosting, writing gel, or any number of different decorating items. :) Generally found in the baking section at the super market. Or just make your own frosting and use food coloring for different colors. Totally up to you! :) Now time to eat them. Some may be crunchy and hard, some may be softer, but they will all be good. Dip some in milk or hot chocolate... oh yeah! lol Enjoy!