Gingerbread people
Create festive and delicious gingerbread people with this easy recipe! Combining the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and a touch of garlic, these cookies are perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and brown sugar. Finish with a classic powdered sugar icing for a holiday treat that's sure to delight both kids and adults alike. Perfect for baking with family and friends!
- 24 Apr 2025
- Cook time 25 min
- Prep time 60 min
- 10 Servings
- 9 Ingredients
Gingerbread people are a festive and fun treat to make during the holiday season. These spiced cookies are a joy to decorate and delicious to eat. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe will guide you through creating perfect gingerbread figures.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the maple syrup and continue to mix until well combined.
- Add the egg white and mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
- If using, add the minced garlic cloves. (Again, note that garlic is unusual in a gingerbread recipe. Skip it if you prefer traditional gingerbread.)
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough, and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with a small amount of water (a few teaspoons) until you reach your desired icing consistency. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape for decorating.
- Use the icing to decorate your gingerbread people as you like. You can use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off for more precise decorating.
- Allow the icing to set completely before enjoying your gingerbread people or storing them in an airtight container.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened before you start mixing to ensure a smooth dough.
- Chill the dough for at least an hour before rolling it out to make it easier to work with and to help the cookies hold their shape.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually when making the icing to achieve the desired consistency.
- Use baking paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking to the tray.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them to avoid the icing melting.
With these steps, you can bake delicious and decorative gingerbread people that will be the star of your holiday treats. Enjoy the process of baking and decorating with family and friends, and savor the wonderful flavors of ginger and cinnamon.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 100 grams |
| Energy | |
| Calories 370kcal | 19% |
| Protein | |
| Protein 4.40g | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | |
| Carbohydrates 70g | 19% |
| Fiber 1.32g | 3% |
| Sugar 44g | 43% |
| Fat | |
| Fat 10g | 11% |
| Saturated 5g | 17% |
| Cholesterol 27mg | - |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A 80ug | 9% |
| Choline 6mg | 1% |
| Vitamin B1 0.10mg | 8% |
| Vitamin B2 0.02mg | 2% |
| Vitamin B3 0.67mg | 4% |
| Vitamin B6 0.05mg | 3% |
| Vitamin B9 8ug | 2% |
| Vitamin B12 0.00ug | 0% |
| Vitamin C 0.08mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E 0.03mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K 0.98ug | 1% |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium, Ca 24mg | 2% |
| Copper, Cu 0.09mg | 9% |
| Iron, Fe 0.81mg | 7% |
| Magnesium, Mg 16mg | 4% |
| Phosphorus, P 50mg | 4% |
| Potassium, K 90mg | 3% |
| Selenium, Se 8ug | 15% |
| Sodium, Na 12mg | 1% |
| Zinc, Zn 0.44mg | 4% |
| Water | |
| Water 9g | - |
| * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. | |
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