Ingredients:
- For the cookies:
- 3 ¼ cups flour
- 1 ½ tbsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- For the royal icing:
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp warm water
- 2 tbsp meringue powder
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and molasses for 2 minutes until fluffy. Add the egg and mix.
- Add dry ingredients gradually and mix just until combined.
- Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour (or overnight).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut gingerbread men shapes and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake 9–10 minutes. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
- For icing: Beat all icing ingredients until glossy and slightly thickened.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing and sprinkles.