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Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 45 reviews

These Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies combine the rich, spicy flavors of molasses, cinnamon, and cloves into a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. Perfectly sized small cookies are dipped in a sweet glaze, making each bite irresistibly festive and delightful. Ideal for holiday celebrations or any time you want a classic gingerbread treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

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

Glaze

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Space: Organize your workspace by setting out multiple cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or silpat mats. Arrange several cooling racks over parchment or paper to catch any glaze drips. Have a glass bowl ready for reheating the dough as needed.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking.
  3. Make the Glaze: In a glass bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and set aside for dipping the warm cookies after baking.
  4. Simmer Molasses and Shortening: On medium heat, heat molasses and butter-flavored shortening together in a pot. Simmer gently for 2-5 minutes, whisking vigorously at the start to emulsify the mixture. The mixture should become thick, sticky, and coat a spoon smoothly without scorching.
  5. Cream Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
  6. Dissolve Baking Soda: In a separate measuring cup, dissolve baking soda in hot water, then add this to the creamed sugar mixture. Stir gently on low speed to combine.
  7. Add Spices: Incorporate ground cloves, cinnamon, salt, and ground ginger into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly to blend the flavors.
  8. Mix in Molasses Mixture: Pour the warm molasses and shortening mixture into the mixer bowl, beating until fully incorporated into the batter.
  9. Add Flour: Gradually add the flour to the mixture, beating slowly at first. The dough will be very full and wet initially but will absorb the flour as you mix, forming a sticky dough. Once fully combined, transfer the dough to a sprayed counter surface.
  10. Roll and Cut Dough: Spray the countertop with nonstick spray. Divide the dough into thirds. Roll each portion out to about 1/2 inch thickness. Using small gingerbread man cookie cutters (smaller sizes recommended for best results), cut out shapes while the dough is still slightly warm and pliable.
  11. Bake Cookies: Bake the shaped cookies in the preheated oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes depending on size: 5 minutes for very small men, 7-8 minutes for 3-4 inch cookies, and around 10 minutes for regular-sized cookies.
  12. Glaze Cookies: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, dunk each hot cookie completely into the prepared glaze, coating all sides thoroughly.
  13. Drain and Cool: Place glazed cookies on the cooling racks to let excess glaze drip off and to allow the glaze to set and dry.
  14. Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag. For freezing, press out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing. Properly stored, cookies will keep up to 2 months in the freezer.

Notes

  • Work quickly when rolling and cutting the dough as it is easier to cut while warm and pliable.
  • Using smaller cookie cutters results in cuter, chewier gingerbread men that bake evenly and quickly.
  • Make sure not to scorch the molasses and shortening mixture; simmer gently and whisk at the start for best texture.
  • Glazing the cookies while hot ensures a smooth, even coat that hardens nicely on cooling.
  • Freezing the cookies extends their shelf life and preserves freshness.

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

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