Description

There’s something magical about bringing a tray of freshly baked gingerbread men to the table, especially when they come with a spooky twist! I whipped up these Skeleton Gingerbread Men for a Halloween party, and let me tell you—they were the star of the night. The kids couldn’t get enough of the little skeleton designs, while the adults loved the perfectly spiced gingerbread flavor. It was an instant hit with my family, and we all had fun decorating them together. Plus, they are as delicious as they are festive! If you’re looking for a fun, interactive treat to enjoy with your family or impress your friends at a holiday gathering, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Gingerbread Men:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Icing (to create skeleton designs):

2 cups powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: Black food coloring for additional spooky details

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Instructions

Prepare the dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but firm.
Chill the dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This will make it easier to roll and cut.
Roll and cut the dough:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the gingerbread men on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the cookies:
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the centers are still slightly soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate with skeleton designs:
While the cookies cool, make your icing. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Transfer the icing to a piping bag or a small ziplock bag (with a tiny corner cut off). Once the cookies have cooled, pipe skeleton bones onto the gingerbread men for a spooky, cute effect.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes