Name: Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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 hot water; 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 3 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 6 cups flour; 6 cups powdered sugar; 2/3 cup milk; 4 teaspoons vanilla

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 19 reviews

If you’re anything like me, the holidays aren’t complete without a little baking adventure, and trust me when I say, this Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer. These aren’t your average dry gingerbread cookies – they have this wonderful chewy texture, bursting with warm spices and a delightful molasses richness that keeps you coming back for more. Imagine dunking freshly baked, warm gingerbread men right into a sweet, glossy vanilla glaze. Sound dreamy? Stick with me, and I’ll share all my tips and tricks so you nail these chewy delights every single time.

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Molasses & Shortening combo: Simmering these two melts them into a silky, cohesive base that lends the perfect chewy texture without greasiness.
Warm dough handling: Keeping the dough warm while rolling ensures it remains pliable and cuttable without crumbling or cracking.
Glazing hot cookies: Dipping them immediately seals in moisture and gives an irresistible shiny coat that adds flavor and flair.
Balanced spices: The careful mix of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and a pinch of salt creates a cozy, harmonious gingerbread flavor that’s not overwhelming.

Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies, gingerbread cookies, holiday baking recipes, chewy gingerbread treats, easy gingerbread cookies - The image shows two white plates filled with gingerbread cookies shaped like little people, all covered in a smooth, shiny light brown icing. One plate is placed at the top left corner with cookies closely stacked, while the other plate, which is grey, sits in the center with cookies piled on top of each other. Two cookies lie separately on the white marbled surface, one at the bottom center and another on the middle right side. Scattered around are small white and silver round sprinkles and cinnamon sticks. A red and dark green plaid cloth is folded and placed underneath and around the grey plate, with three shiny silver Christmas baubles sitting on the cloth near the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe relies on ingredients that perfectly balance flavor, texture, and structure. From the molasses that brings moistness and depth, to the right mix of spices and the unique use of shortening instead of butter, every ingredient has a purpose to help you achieve those perfectly chewy, flavorful cookies.

Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies, gingerbread cookies, holiday baking recipes, chewy gingerbread treats, easy gingerbread cookies - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber molasses, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale yellow butter flavored shortening, a small white ceramic bowl of white granulated sugar, a single large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of clear hot water, a small white ceramic bowl of fine off-white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon with warm reddish-brown color, a small white ceramic bowl of light beige ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of pure white salt, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy white milk, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Molasses: Go for a good-quality brand like Grandma’s for rich, robust flavor that really shines through in these cookies.
Butter Flavored Shortening: This helps maintain chewiness without making the dough greasy, plus it melts smoothly when simmered with molasses.
Sugar: Sweetens and contributes to that tender, chewy bite we love.
Egg: Adds structure and richness to bind everything together.
Vanilla: Just a touch enhances the spice profile without stealing the spotlight.
Baking Soda: Dissolved in hot water, it acts as a leavening agent, lifting the dough just enough for a light chew.
Hot Water: Essential for activating the baking soda and keeping the dough ready to roll.
Ground Cloves, Cinnamon, Ginger: Classic warming spices that create that unmistakable gingerbread aroma and flavor.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the spices.
Flour: The sturdy base for the dough, six cups make sure your cookie men hold their shape while staying soft inside.
Powdered Sugar, Milk (for glaze): Powdered sugar creates that smooth, sweet glaze with milk and vanilla tying it all together with a lovely shine.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Over the years, I’ve played around with the spice blend and the cookie sizes to suit different occasions and moods. Feel free to experiment with the amount of ginger or cinnamon to find your perfect cozy cookie vibe!

Extra Ginger Kick: If you’re like me and can’t get enough ginger’s zing, bump up the ground ginger by half a teaspoon for an extra warm punch.
Soft vs. Crisp: For softer cookies, bake on the shorter end and keep them thick; for a crisper edge, roll the dough thinner and bake a minute or two longer.
Gluten-Free: I haven’t personally tried a gluten-free version, but swapping the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix could be a fun test if you’re up for it!
Cookie Size Matters: My personal fave is using tiny cookie cutters – they bake quickly and get coated beautifully in glaze, making every bite a sweet, chewy joy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Kitchen Like a Pro

Before mixing a thing, prep your workspace thoroughly. Line multiple cookie sheets with parchment or silicone mats for easy cleanup, set up several cooling racks over parchment to catch glaze drips, and have a microwave-safe bowl ready to gently warm dough later. Trust me, having everything organized lets you move fast, which is key for handling this warm, sticky dough without stress.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven & Whip Up the Glaze

Set your oven to 375°F so it’s ready when your dough is. Meanwhile, whisk your glaze ingredients—powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla—in a glass bowl until smooth. Set aside, it’s going to be your cookie’s shiny signature coat.

Step 3: Simmer Molasses & Shortening

On medium heat, combine molasses and shortening in a pot. Keep whisking vigorously at first – it might look like nothing’s happening, but soon the mixture will thicken into a sticky, glossy sauce. This step melts the shortening smoothly into the molasses, making your cookies chewy and luscious.

Step 4: Cream Sugar, Egg & Vanilla

In your standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat sugar, egg, and vanilla together until smooth and fluffy. This few minutes of creaming adds air for lightness and helps balance the rich heartiness of molasses.

Step 5: Add Baking Soda and Spices

Dissolve the baking soda in hot water—a little kitchen science magic—then mix it into your creamed combo on low speed. Stir in cloves, cinnamon, salt, and ground ginger. The mixture will smell so warm and inviting now, it’s the hallmark of an unforgettable gingerbread.

Step 6: Incorporate Molasses Mixture & Flour

Add your warm molasses-shortening mixture and beat until everything’s well combined. Then, start adding flour gradually. At first, it looks like a soggy mess, but keep going – the dough soaks up the flour and turns into a very sticky but workable dough. Don’t add extra flour beyond what the recipe calls for; the key here is stickiness, which guarantees chewiness.

Step 7: Roll Out Quickly & Cut

Spray your counter and rolling pin with nonstick spray (not flour — really important here!). Working with about a third of the dough at a time, roll it to about half an inch thick while still warm. Use your favorite small cookie cutters and press out your gingerbread men. Handling the dough warm is vital; if it cools, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave brings it right back to ideal softness.

Step 8: Bake & Glaze Right Away

Pop your cookies into the 375°F oven. Small ones bake around 5 minutes; medium to large sizes will need 7-10 minutes. Take them out when they’re firm enough to lift but still hot. Here’s the fun part: immediately dunk each cookie fully into the glaze, coating all sides. This seals in moisture and adds that lovely sweet shine. Place them on cooling racks while the glaze sets—after a bit, flip them gently to prevent sticking.

Pro Tips for Making Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

💡

Keep Dough Warm: I learned the hard way that once this dough cools, it stiffens and becomes a nightmare to roll — don’t hesitate to microwave small portions for a few seconds to maintain pliability.
Skip Extra Flour: Adding flour to tame stickiness is a common mistake — instead, rely on spray oil for rolling and cutting; more flour makes the cookies dry and less chewy.
Don’t Overbake: Soft edges at the end of baking mean chewy centers; pulling cookies too soon or too late throws off this balance.
Glaze Timing: Dipping cookies right out of the oven seals in freshness and moisture perfectly — doing it later won’t give the same glossy, crack-free finish.

How to Serve Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe

Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies, gingerbread cookies, holiday baking recipes, chewy gingerbread treats, easy gingerbread cookies - A stack of seven rectangular gingerbread cookies covered in a shiny light brown icing is placed on a white marbled surface. On top, one cookie is broken in half to show the soft, slightly crumbly inside, which is a warm orange-brown color. The glaze has a smooth texture with a few small spots where it drips a little around the edges. The cookies are stacked unevenly, giving a casual, fresh-baked look with more cookies softly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic and simple with a smooth vanilla glaze, but if you want to get fancy, colored icing or tiny sugar pearls add festive charm. For everyday eating, the plain glaze is my favorite because it keeps that chewy texture front and center.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cider, or classic eggnog. On cold afternoons, I love a mug of frothy chai latte alongside these toffee-sweet gems.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I often arrange them on decorated platters lined with evergreen sprigs or place them standing in mason jars tied with festive ribbons. Kids (and adults) love cookie decorating stations with extra glaze, sprinkles, and edible glitter to personalize their gingerbread men.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once glazed and fully dried, I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and chewy for about a week, perfect for snacking all season long.

Freezing

I’ve frozen batches of these cookies before with great success. After glazing and drying, pop them into a freezer-safe bag, pressing out air. When thawed at room temp, they’re just as tasty and chewy as fresh.

Reheating

To gently revive cookies after storage, I zap them individually in the microwave for about 5 seconds—just enough to bring back that soft warmth without melting the glaze or drying the cookie.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of shortening in the Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe?

Butter can be substituted, but keep in mind it may change the texture slightly, making the cookies less chewy and more cakey or crumbly. Shortening melts differently with molasses, creating that signature chewiness, so if you do use butter, consider adjusting bake time and expect slightly different results.
Why do I need to keep the dough warm?

This dough is sticky and soft because of the molasses and shortening mixture. When it cools, it firms up and becomes tough to roll or cut cleanly, resulting in cracked or misshapen cookies. Keeping it warm ensures smooth rolling and precise cutting.
How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies should be firm enough to lift from the baking sheet but still quite soft to the touch when they come out of the oven. Smaller cookies take about 5 minutes; larger ones closer to 10. Overbaking makes them dry and tough.
Can I decorate these cookies with icing after glazing?

Absolutely! The vanilla glaze sets as a shiny base, and once dry, you can pipe royal icing or use edible markers to add fun details like buttons, faces, or holiday patterns. Just let the glaze dry fully before decorating.

Final Thoughts

This Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart because it perfectly captures the spirit of holiday baking—fun, a little messy, and absolutely delicious. I hope you have as much joy making and sharing these cookies as I do. So dust off those cookie cutters, warm up your kitchen, and dive into a batch that’s sure to become a festive family favorite. Happy baking, friend!