Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies

Soft & Spiced Gingerbread Men

Just a few days to go now… are you feeling festive yet? Whenever I think of Christmas cookies, gingerbread men are the first thing that pop into my head. Classic, nostalgic, and just the right amount of spiced — they’re a must-bake this time of year (or any time, if you ask me!).

This is my go-to gingerbread recipe: soft in the middle, crisp on the edges, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and ginger. The secret? Trust the baking time — 9 to 10 minutes is all they need. They might puff up a little in the oven, but they’ll settle down into chewy little men once cooled.

Once they’re baked, it’s time for the best part — decorating! Go wild with smiles, squiggles, buttons, bow ties… or leave them plain and dunk them in your tea. Either way, they’re a winner.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 350g (12oz) plain flour, plus extra for rolling

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 125g (4½oz) butter

• 175g (6oz) light soft brown sugar

• 1 large free-range egg

• 4 tbsp golden syrup

To decorate:

• Writing icing

• Cake decorations of your choice — get creative!

How to Make Them

Mix the dry ingredients: Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar.

Add the wet ingredients: Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, then pour into the dry mixture. Mix until the dough starts to come together.

Chill the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Wrap in cling film and chill for 15 minutes.

Roll & cut: Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper. Roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick and cut out your gingerbread men.

Bake: Place the cookies on the trays, leaving a little space between each. Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Let them cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Decorate: Once cool, bring them to life with icing, sprinkles, sweets — whatever your heart desires.

Enjoy :)

Tips & Tricks

• Freeze the dough for up to 3 months — great for festive batch baking.

• Use different cutters to make stars, trees, or hearts for year-round fun.

• For extra ginger kick, add a touch of ground cloves or nutmeg.