Classic Spiced Gingerbread Men (Printable)

Spiced gingerbread men, crisp edges and soft centers, perfect for decorating and sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 cup molasses
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For Decorating

13 - Royal icing or writing icing pens
14 - Assorted candies, sprinkles, or chocolate chips (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 40 minutes.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut gingerbread men shapes using a cookie cutter and place them 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until edges are firm but centers remain slightly soft.
09 - Allow biscuits to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Once cooled, decorate biscuits with icing and candies as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They stay soft in the middle while crisping at the edges, giving you that perfect textural contrast in every bite.
  • The spice blend is warm and comforting without ever feeling overwhelming or artificial.
  • Kids and adults alike find joy in decorating them, turning baking into a real kitchen moment.
  • Make the dough ahead and bake fresh whenever the craving hits, or store them for days and they just get better.
02 -
  • If your dough feels sticky or warm, pop it back in the fridge for another 15 minutes—it'll be so much easier to work with and your shapes will hold their detail.
  • Don't overbake chasing crispness; pull them out when the edges are set but the centers still give slightly under a gentle press, and they'll firm up as they cool.
  • Molasses is the secret to that deep flavor and soft texture, so don't swap it for corn syrup or honey, or the whole character changes.
03 -
  • Let your butter soften to actual softness—not melted, just soft enough that a finger presses easily through it—and creaming it with sugar takes the biscuits from good to genuinely tender.
  • The dough should feel slightly sticky after mixing; if it's too dry, a tablespoon of milk brings it back into balance without throwing off the recipe.

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