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Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 93 reviews

These Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies offer a perfect balance of rich molasses flavor and warm spices, creating soft, chewy treats ideal for holiday celebrations. Coated in a smooth glaze that hardens to a delicate finish, these cookies are made with a combination of molasses, spices, and plenty of flour that yield a tender yet sturdy dough. The recipe includes tips for rolling and cutting the dough while warm and glazing the cookies immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Glaze

  • 6 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2/3 Cups Milk
  • 4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Cookies

  • 1 Cup Molasses (Grandma’s brand recommended)
  • 1 Cup Butter Flavored Shortening
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Cup Hot Water
  • 3/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Ground Ginger
  • 6 Cups All-Purpose Flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Space: Arrange multiple cookie sheets lined with parchment or silpat mats for easy baking. Set up at least four cooling racks over parchment paper to catch any dripping glaze. Keep a glass bowl ready for reheating dough as needed.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking your cookies promptly once shaped.
  3. Make the Glaze: In a glass bowl, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set this glaze aside for later use to coat the cookies.
  4. Heat Molasses and Shortening: On medium heat, combine molasses and butter-flavored shortening in a pot. Simmer gently for 2-5 minutes without scorching, whisking vigorously at first to emulsify. The mixture should thicken slightly and coat a spoon uniformly.
  5. Cream Sugar and Egg: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
  6. Dissolve Baking Soda: In a separate measuring cup, dissolve baking soda into the hot water and then slowly add this to the creamed sugar mixture. Stir on low speed until combined.
  7. Add Spices: Blend ground cloves, cinnamon, salt, and ginger into the creamed mixture, ensuring even distribution of warm spices.
  8. Combine Molasses Mixture: Pour the hot molasses and shortening mixture into the creamed mixture. Beat again until fully incorporated.
  9. Add Flour: Gradually beat in the flour starting slowly. The dough will be very sticky and wet initially but will absorb the flour becoming a pliable dough. Remove dough from the mixing bowl to the counter for rolling.
  10. Roll and Cut Dough: Spray your countertop with nonstick spray. Divide the dough into thirds. Roll out one third to about 1/2 inch thickness. Using a small gingerbread man cookie cutter (or your preferred size), cut out shapes while the dough is still warm and pliable.
  11. Bake Cookies: Place cut cookies on prepared cookie sheets and bake in the preheated oven. Baking times vary by size—small cookies bake in about 5 minutes, 3-4 inch sized need 7-8 minutes, and regular size should bake for 10 minutes.
  12. Glaze Cookies: Immediately after removing cookies from the oven, dunk each hot cookie fully into the prepared glaze, coating all sides thoroughly.
  13. Drain and Cool: Place glazed cookies on cooling racks to allow the glaze to set and dry properly.
  14. Store: Once cooled and dry, store the cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag. For freezing, remove as much air as possible before sealing. Cookies can be kept frozen for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Cut the dough while it’s still warm and pliable for easier shaping.
  • Use small cookie cutters for bite-sized gingerbread men or larger ones based on preference; adjust baking times accordingly.
  • Glazing the cookies immediately after baking ensures a smooth, even coating that hardens nicely.
  • Nonstick spray on the countertop helps prevent sticking while rolling dough.
  • Cookies store well frozen up to 2 months when sealed properly.

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, chewy gingerbread men, holiday cookies, molasses cookies, Christmas treats

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/chewy-gingerbread-man-cookies-recipe/