Introduction:

What’s Christmas without a batch of delightful gingerbread men cookies? With their sweet fragrance, warm spices, and charming appearance, gingerbread cookies have become a holiday favorite among millions. Today, we will share with you the best gingerbread cookies recipe that is not only simple, but also perfect for the beautiful Christmas season.

Ingredients:

– 3 cups all-purpose flour

– 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

– 1 tablespoon ground ginger

– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

– 1/2 cup molasses

– 1 large egg

For decoration:

– Royal icing (store-bought or homemade)

– Sprinkles, candies, and other edible decorations as desired

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and baking soda until thoroughly combined.

2. Cut the softened butter into small pieces and add them to the dry ingredients. Using either your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add the molasses and beaten egg to the mixture. Stir until everything is well incorporated and a soft dough forms.

4. Divide the dough into two equal parts and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Flatten the dough slightly to make a disk shape and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

6. Remove one dough disk from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness.

7. Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.

8. Bake the gingerbread men cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they are firm around the edges and slightly soft in the center. Repeat with the remaining dough, rerolling any scraps.

9. Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

10. Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them using royal icing and an assortment of sprinkles or candies as desired. Let the icing dry before storing or serving.

In conclusion, this easy and delicious gingerbread cookies recipe is perfect for making your Christmas holiday extra special. Gather your friends and family, bake up a batch of these charming gingerbread men cookies, and have fun decorating them together to create unforgettable memories!