Make gingerbread men cookies as a family activity

Are you looking for a fun activity to do with your children today? These gingerbread men make the cutest cookies, and your child will have a blast decorating them with sweets for eyes and buttons. Here’s how to make them.

Good to know: This recipe makes 24 servings. Suppose you want a dozen instead; simply halve the ingredients. 

So gather the kids, prepare the cookie cutters, and prepare to enjoy the best gingerbread men cookies you’ve ever had.

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter (softened)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. On low speed, gradually incorporate the flour mixture until well combined.
3. Press dough into a thick, flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C.
5. Roll out the dough (to a thickness of about half a centimetre) on a lightly floured surface. Using a gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutter, cut out your cookies. Place gingerbread men on ungreased baking sheets five centimetres apart.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges of the cookies are set and begin to brown. We baked ours for eight minutes but depending on your oven, your gingerbread men may take more – or less – time, so keep checking them (through the oven door).
7. Allow the cookies to cool completely.
8. Let your child decorate their gingerbread men with frosting and sweets. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to five days.