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Gingerbread People Recipe: Easy Homemade Cookies for Decorating

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These classic gingerbread people cookies are crisp at the edges, soft in the center, and sturdy enough for decorating. Perfect for holidays, bake sales, or any time you want a nostalgic, spicy-sweet treat to share and decorate with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature (or flax egg for vegan)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) unsulphured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: Pinch of nutmeg or allspice
  • For Decorating:
  • Royal icing (homemade or store-bought)
  • Assorted candies (mini M&Ms, candy eyes, chocolate chips, sprinkles, gumdrops, etc.)
  • Colored sugars & edible glitter

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and optional nutmeg or allspice until evenly combined.
  2. In another large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy and light (2-3 minutes).
  3. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing on low just until combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  5. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours). For a quick chill, freeze for 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out gingerbread people with cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  8. Bake each tray for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are set at the edges and puffed in the center. Smaller cookies bake faster.
  9. Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, candies, and sprinkles. Let icing dry before stacking or storing.

Notes

Chill the dough thoroughly for best results and sharp cookie shapes. Roll dough between parchment for easy cleanup. Adjust spices to taste. For gluten-free or vegan adaptations, see ingredient notes. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread, cookies, holiday, Christmas, decorating, kid-friendly, classic, molasses, spiced cookies, easy, homemade

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/gingerbread-people-recipe-easy-homemade-cookies-for-decorating/