Gingerbread people, sweet and spicy treats that usually show up during winter holidays, have their origins in ancient times. However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that they began to take shape as gingerbread men, literally and figuratively. Queen Elizabeth the First had her royal baker make gingerbread men in the image of visiting dignitaries to be presented as diplomatic tributes at state events. Today, these tasty figures are often tied with ribbon for seasonal festivities. Gingerbread slabs can be made into houses, decorated with raisins, candy, or icing. Gingerbread is made with ingredients you may already have in your cupboard. Need a fun, creative, and tasty snow day activity? Make gingerbread people from the recipe below!
Gingerbread People
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon each ground ginger, clove, cardamom, and nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix on medium speed with a hand mixer, or use a wooden spoon and beat until mixed well. Form into a ball and refrigerate for an hour.
- Working on a lightly floured surface, cut the ball of dough into 4 pieces. Roll out to a ⅛-inch thickness. Cut into your favorite shapes or figures using cookie cutters. You can also make your own shapes with cardstock paper or cardboard. Place them on the rolled-out dough and cut around them. Use a ball jar for circles.
- Using a spatula, transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 8 minutes.
- For ginger snaps, roll the dough even thinner, cut into squares, and bake longer (watch closely, minute by minute, being careful not to burn them).
- Transfer onto a wire rack and cool completely before icing and decorating.
- Cook’s Note: If using raisins, add them before baking by pressing them into the raw dough.
- Decorate with your favorite sprinkles or candy.
