Welcome to Day 1 of Christmas Cookies Week! I am starting this fun and very tasty week with my favorite cookie, the Gingerbread Man! These cookies are easy to make and full of deliciousness! They are perfect for shipping because of their sturdy nature, and they are such a universally loved cookie, that they are welcome in any cookie basket or tin that you might be gifting friends or family with this season.
These cookies can be made ahead of time, and even frozen if needed. Decorate a day or two before packing them to give as a gift, so the frosting has time to completely dry!
There is a giveaway that starts today being sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas & Flavors! Find the entry info towards the end of this page, and Good Luck!
Gingerbread Men Cookies
(printable recipe at end of page)
5 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon ground Ginger
2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 cup unsalted Butter, at room temperature
1 cup Sugar
3/4 cup unsulfured Molasses
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Royal Frosting
6 Ounces Warm Water
5 tablespoons Meringue Powder
1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
2.25 pounds Confectioner's Sugar
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
Beat together the butter and sugar on medium for 2-3 minutes. Add the molasses, egg and vanilla.
Using low speed, begin to add the flour a little at a time, just until mixed. The dough should be a little stiff and a bit sticky.
Split the dough in half, wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for minimum of 1 hour, up to 1 day.
When you are ready to bake, take dough from refrigerator and let sit on the counter for approximately 10-15 minutes so it can soften. Roll out the dough on a cutting board or counter. I had the most success when I used the rolling pin shown. It has the cloth sleeve on it, which worked very well with the chilled dough. It rolled out nicely, and was easy to use with the rolling pin covered with the sleeve.
To cook the gingerbread man so he can hold the candy cane, roll up some parchment paper in a cylinder shape, place the paper on the area of the cookie, like above. Fold the dough in as if the dough is holding the paper. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.
After baking, let the cookies cool, then carefully remove the paper from each cookie. Gently pull the paper from the cooked cookie. As you pull the paper, hold the turned arm to avoid it cracking. It may leave marks, but they will be covered by the candy cane.
Insert candy cane.
Decorate your gingerbread man with the royal frosting! Find the recipe here!
Thank you for stopping by today, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!
So many cookies, so little time! Find your favorite cookies, or discover some new ones, from the list below:
To join us in celebrating #ChristmasCookiesWeek,
Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas and Flavors
is giving one winner a
set of their pure flavors:
2-oz each of Orange, Lemon,Peppermint,
Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Rose Water, and Orange Blossom Water.
Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been crafting the world’s finest vanillas
and flavors since 1907. Each of Nielsen-Massey’s all-nature pure flavors
are crafted with premium ingredients, sourced from around the world and
chosen to meet the utmost quality standards. From lemon to peppermint
to coffee or chocolate, Nielsen-Massey’s pure flavors offer convenience,
quality and consistency to ensure your favorite recipes taste delicious
every single time. All products are gluten-free, allergen-free,
GMO-free, all-natural and Kosher.
Join the giveaway below:
