Growing up I was never crazy about ginger anything. However, as someone who is not crazy about chocolate (I like it, I just don’t crave it), I love all things cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger. Needless to say, I’m all about gingerbread!
Something about the flavor just draws me in, is so me, and it just pairs perfectly with anything cream cheese!!
When it comes to making the perfect gingerbread men, you can easily modify them to cater to your preferences. For the rich dark brown color, you can follow the instructions, or if you desire one less bold you can reduce the molasses. For a soft bake version you can bake following the instructions. If you desire a crispy version you simply bake a little longer!
What I love about this recipe, is everything! It features minimal ingredients, whole wheat based, easy, involves the perf blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, has a light airy texture, no dairy, no eggs or even vegan eggs, no butter, can easily be made in bulk, perf for Christmas, and non vegan approved!
If you’re searching for that staple vegan Gingerbread Men cookie recipe, you have to try my vegan whole wheat recipe!!
In a large bowl, cream together the coconut oil and the coconut or brown sugar. Beat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is nice and light. Add the almond milk, maple syrup, molasses and vanilla, beat for another 30 seconds to mix thoroughly. If the coconut oil begins to solidify, simply pop in the microwave.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed sugar mixture, beating to combine.
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours
Before rolling, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 325F.
Roll the dough directly onto parchment paper. The dough should be ¼” thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out the dough, use a flat spatula to gently remove the excess dough. Keep re-rolling and cutting out the dough until it’s all used up.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges and barely firm in the center. They will firm as the cool.
Allow them cool completely before decorating. Store them in an airtight container for a perfectly soft chewy molasses cookie texture. Alternatively, you can turn off the oven and keep them in there for an additional 10 minutes for lightly crisp, snappy gingerbread cookies.
To ice the cookies simply combine 2 cups of powder sugar with 2 tbsp of almond milk or vegan eggnog!
Notes
With the dough rolled out to ¼”, this recipe makes about 12 large cookies (approx. 3″x4″) or 24 smaller cookies (approx 2″x2.5″). We made 15 cookies, 9 large and 6 small.