Gingerbread man cookies
“All I want for Christmas is my gingerbread man cookies!!” That’s my son’s wish for each Christmas. In the past, I would buy it from the bakery shop to save the hassle. But this year, I decided to make them by myself as I find it easy to do. Most importantly, mother and son had a whole load of fun making them together!!
Originally I planned to make gingerbread much earlier. Unfortunately, both my son and I were hit by the sick bugs at the beginning of the month. Thankfully we were only down for a week. Once we had fully recovered, we quickly kicked start our special “project” to be in time for Christmas. But, it was not a smooth start. When we headed to the baking supply shop to buy our ingredients, some of the items were out-of-stock due to high seasonal demand. Nevertheless, we still managed to complete our shopping list by visiting other stores.
During the process of making these cookies, I encountered some difficulties in cutting out the dough. The dough turned soft easily and I had to put it back to the fridge to harden it for several times. I think it may be due to hot temperature in my kitchen. Well, it’s just my guess. If you have better ways of dealing with this problem of mine, I love to hear from you.
“Don’t run, gingerbread men! I want to eat you for my tea!”
I had bookmarked a few recipes for gingerbread cookies, but as a first timer at making these spicy cookies I was quite unsure of which recipe to pick. Each recipe has its own combination of spices. Some use black treacle/molasses while others use honey. After much contemplation, I decided to follow the ginger biscuits recipe from You Can Cook cookbook written by Annabel Karmel. She is my favourite cookbook author for children recipes. I had tried so many of her recipes and so far none had disappointed me. I also incorporated some steps and tips from Martha Stewart, Simply Recipes, Joy of Baking and 孟老師的100道手工餅干 respectively.
As it turns out, the gingerbread cookies taste really delicious!! The sweetness is just right and the spices are not overpowering. They are easy-to-follow and fun-to-make too. You can bake it soft or crispy according to your liking. If you are running out of time, you can make the dough one day ahead, and bake the cookies the next day. My son enjoys cutting and decorating his gingerbread men.
As for the royal icing, I didn’t follow the traditional way which uses egg whites, lemon juice and powdered sugar due to concern for salmonella contamination from raw eggs. As a result, I used meringue powder as substitute for egg white. I also bought one ready-to-use writing icing. Both worked well for me.
There are still 10 more days to go before Christmas. I hope this recipe comes in time for those who want to make some festive goodies for friends and the love ones. This is also a great opportunity for you to cook with your kids.
>>>> Click on PAGE 2 for gingerbread man recipe with step by step photos…………………
>>>> Click on PAGE 3 for how to make royal icing recipe………………………
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They are really cute… even I don’t fancy much of ginger bread. But, it really makes the coming Xmas more merry! Have a Merry Christmas my dear friend! 🙂
Alice: Before that, I’m not a big fan for ginger cookies. But now, after making this batch, I change my mind now. These cookies really taste delicious!! You got to give it a try when you’re free. Merry Christmas to you and your family!! 😉
I feel so Christmas now…. Love your gingerbread man, so cute!!!!
Joanne (CP): Me too!! Eating festive cookies and listening to Christmas songs every day!! 😉
Wah nice! I’m not much of a gingerbread fan, but like to look at the creative ways ppl do to make and decorate the gingerbread stuff.
IAFTM: Thanks!! Glad you like it! 😉
WOW! LK, everybody is already in Christmas mood now 🙂 Your gingerbread man looks cute.
X’mas 🙂
Anncoo: Yeah, counting down to Christmas now! Thanks and merry christmas to you!! 😉
The gingerbread man is cute, and your boy is even cuter. 🙂
Wishing you and your family an advance Merry Christmas!
Little Inbox: Thanks for the compliment on my son!! Merry Christmas to you and your family too!! 😉
I still haven’t baked the gingerbread men…should really start now. Yours look so pretty!
Angie: Thanks!! Yeah, better start now. Only 10 days left. 😉
Everytime I see gingerbread man…..reminds me of the one in Shrek….he he he!
Peteformation: Oh really? Hehehe! 😉
I’m so glad to hear you guys recovered in time to make these! They are super adorable!
Joanne: Thanks!! Yeah, just in time! Hehehe! 😉
OMGOSH these look incredibly cute!
Hannah: Thanks for your wonderful compliment! 😉
Your son looks so satisfied here. Great photo!
Evelyn Ng: Thanks for your wonderful compliment! 😉
the gingerbread man and your son have one thing in common …..–cute!!!What a great way for bonding too. Happy Christmas! 😉
Ladyhomechef: Thanks for your lovely comments! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas too! 😉
So cute and so festive! I probably go bake some cookies today. Thanks for the push! 😛
This is very festive looking! Very pretty and cute!
Lee Mei (MCH) : Thanks for your sweet compliments!! 😉
So cute! Suddenly, this reminds me of Chinese ginseng – it will run away! Cos the cookies are so alive.
Tigerfish: I never know Chinese ginseng can run away too! Interesting! 😉
These little guys are too cute! I’m sure you and your son both had a great time making these!
Peggy: Thanks! Yes, it’s a great bonding for us. 😉
I can feel the Christmas mood right away…
but … it’s seem abit work to come out with this gingerbread man , & ur hard work is worth .
Anggie: Yes, I’m counting down now. Thanks! Your gingerbread men look great too! 😉
They are so so cute LK! Love it! When I make shaped cookies or use any other kind of dough that requires rolling out, moulding etc., I always have the air-conditioning on in my dining room (which is connected to my open kitchen). Singapore weather is CRAZY for handling dough…
Have a very blessed Christmas!
Clare: Thanks! Yes, the weather here is really flaming hot in the afternoon! Merry Xmas and happy holidays to you! 😉
Hi you cookies look lovely, I am tempted to try out your receipe but will need some advice on where to get the mixed spices in your ingredients list. thanks in advance
Clarice: Thanks!! You can get mixed spices from any local baking supplies shops such as Phoon Huat and Sun Lik Trading. Happy trying! 😉
hi for your step 7, you mention cut to 3mm.. 3mm is quite thick.. is there any typo?
Working with one disc at a time. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Place dough on lightly floured parchment paper and cover with a cling film. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 3mm (1/8 in) thickness. Then return the dough to the fridge, refrigerate or freeze until firm for about 15-20 minutes.
Li Yi: 3mm = 0.3cm (even less than 0.25 inch). Are we looking at the same measurement? 😉
Hello! where can i buy black treacle (or unsulfured molasses) in Singapore?
Dawn: Maybe you can try NTUC Finest or Cold Storage. Alternatively, check out Phoon Huat or Sun Lik.
[…] 21. Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies Gingerbread men don’t have to be hard to make, and this recipe proves it. The key is having a gingerbread man cookie cutter and the rest is pretty standard. It’s just a matter of mixing up the listed ingredients, rolling it out, and cutting your men out of the dough. The fun part is decorating them to make them look finished, and this is where you can get creative or keep it simple. They’ve kept it pretty simple for you here with just a smiling face, and a few buttons down his front. Nothing too elaborate but it gives it a classic look. […]
We had fun making these yummy gingerbread cookies with my son. It’s really delicious! Thanks for the receipe.
Evelyn: Glad to know that both of you have so much fun! 😉
Hi, may I know where did you bought the cute gingerbread man mould. So chubby shape 🙂
Arlia: I bought this mould many years ago in Singapore and can’t recall the place now. Most likely from a local baking supply shop. Maybe you can check out Phoon Huat. 🙂
Hi, I have tried your recipe and my families and colleagues love it so much! Thnak you so much!
Arlia: Glad that it suits your families and colleagues’ palate!! 🙂
Hi, I baked a batch of gingerbread cookies today. Why are they soft once they are cold enough for icing? Are they meant to be soft?
They were initially crunchy but after 10mins..they go soft. =(
Sharol: They can be either soft or crunchy depending on baking time. Return the cookies to the preheated oven and bake for a further 3-5 minutes at 160°C. Hope it helps! 🙂