Sweet Gingerbread Men Biscuits (cookies) are sweet and spicy with a crisp bite and, the good news is, that they are really easy to make. I keep my cookies simple, but you can decorate them or use other cookie cutters to make any kind of cookie shape you like.
I’ve been baking Sweet Gingerbread Men for as long as I can remember. It’s a bit of a family tradition both my mum and her mum made gingerbread men around Christmas time.
Gingerbread Man Song
Whenever I make Gingerbread Men I think of the song made famous by Sammy Davis Jnr.
“Feel like I’m made out of gingerbread
Uh huh (uh huh) uh huh (uh huh)
Crumb pickin’ lip lickin’ gingerbread
Uh huh (uh huh) uh huh (uh huh)
Can’t think about rainy weather now
I’ve finally got myself together now
Fresh out of the pan sweet gingerbread man
Fresh out of the pan sweet gingerbread man”
Sweet Gingerbread Man – music by Michel Legrand, Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Sweet Gingerbread Men Cutters
I still have my gran’s original Gingerbread Man cutter which she gave me when she stopped baking. it’s the large cutter with a sort of ‘hat’ or maybe ‘ears’?
These days I find that the large gingerbread men are just too much for us to eat. So I managed to source a mini cutter which makes the perfect Sweet Gingerbread Men.
The mixture for making the Sweet Gingerbread Men is straightforward to prepare. You make it in a pan on the stove, melting the butter, sugar and golden syrup, then you add the dry ingredients. Rolling out the dough can be a bit tricky.
I recommend cutting it into four pieces and working with one piece at a time. You can re-roll the dough but, it does become harder to work as it cools.
Roll out the Gingerbread Dough
I roll my dough onto a piece of baking parchment because it is very sticky and will stick to your work surface.
Take care when lifting the cutouts onto the baking tray, also lined with baking parchment, because they can distort.
Decorate the Cookies
Add the features after you have transferred the shapes to the baking tray. Keep the dough pieces apart as they will spread a little.
I use fondant icing tools to mark out the buttons and eyes, I was particularly pleased to find a tool that is a ‘C’ shape and makes a lovely smile for the little gingerbread men.
Gingerbread Mittens
You don’t have to stick to Gingerbread men shapes, if you have other cutters, you can make any shape you like.
You can make Gingerbread Mittens. or Christmas Stockings I love the mittens and was rather pleased with the ‘knitted’ rib cuff made with one of the fondant tools.!
A family tradition
Make these Sweet Gingerbread Men and you will find that they are so popular that you will be expected to make them every year.
I am hoping that my son or daughter-in-law ill take up the baton and continue the family tradition.
More Christmas Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
Easy Festive Apple and Mincemeat Streusel Muffins are simply made with ingredients you probably already have in your larder. You can make them and serve for Christmas breakfast or as a sweet treat at any time of day. I think you’ll love them!
Easy Slow Cooker Mincemeat is the easiest mincemeat I’ve ever made. Mince Pies are a Christmas tradition in the UK. Mince Pies are sweet pastry tarts filled with a rich mixture including dried fruit, spices, and sugar.
Christmas Fruit Cake is a traditional bake for the festive season in the UK. This step by step recipe makes it an easy bake even if you have little experience.
Last Minute Whisky Marmalade Christmas Cake is light and fruity rather than the rich dark fruit cake that is traditionally baked for Christmas.
More Christmas Recipes
Hallon Scandanavian Cookies – Fab Food 4 All
Mint Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies – The Baking Explorer
Frittelle – Traditional Italian Christmas Eve Doughnuts – Christina’s Cucina
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Sweet Gingerbread Men
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon (4 tablespoon) Golden Syrup
- 100 grams (0.4 cups) butter
- 225 grams (1.02 cups) soft light brown sugar
- 1 (1) egg beaten
- 450 grams (3.5 cups) plain flour
- 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) ground ginger
- 2 teaspoon (2 teaspoon) bicarbonate of soda
Instructions
- Place syrup, butter and sugar in a large saucepan. Heat gently until melted.
- Remove saucepan from heat leave for 5 minutes to cool slightly, add the egg and sift the flour ginger and bicarbonate of soda on to the syrup mixture.
- Beat with a wooden spoon until well mixed and smooth ball.
- Cool for 5 to 10 minutes or until mixture is cool enough to handle, then transfer mixture to work surface and knead lightly.
- Roll out out thinly and cut out the gingerbread men with a cutter.
- Reroll the trimmings and cut more figures.
- Place shapes on to baking sheets covered with baking parchment.
- Mark the eyes, mouth and buttons with a small knife (see notes for my tips)
- Cook at 180C, 350F, Gas 4 for 10 minutes
- Remove from the oven, and leave on the trays for a few minutes until the biscuits firm then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Phil in the Kitchen says
I’m feeling very nostalgic – I don’t think I’ve eaten a gingerbread man since … well, I can’t actually remember. That’s a lovely traditional bake. I’m jealous of your family baking traditions. I can’t claim to have any of those although for the last 10 years or so I’ve made biscotti at this time of year. (That’s more to do with my love of dessert wine than any tradition, though).
Janice Pattie says
Aw, thanks Phil. Nice to hear that you are starting your own tradition.
Choclette says
So cute Janice and I love the traditional family element. I don’t know this song, I always associate gingerbread men with “run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man”.
All That I'm Eating says
Such a fun thing to make Janice, what a lot of gingerbread men!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Caroline, they will soon be eaten when my family arrive for Christmas!
Sammie says
Ooh I love here sweet Gingerbread men. I haven’t actually got round to baking gingerbread yet this year so have Pinned ready to make.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Sammie, I’m sure you will enjoy making and eating them!