How to Make Gingerbread Man Shapes

Making gingerbread sweets has been a family tradition all over the world for many years. Gingerbread sweets were first popular in France, Germany and England and took on different forms from region to region. The popularity of gingerbread cookies and houses eventually spread to America and became a popular Christmas tradition.

Things You'll Need

• Pastry board
• Rolling pin
• Cookie Sheet
• Wax paper
• Flour
• Cookie cutters
• Raisins and dried fruit
• Gingerbread dough
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Divide the chilled gingerbread dough in half. Dust your pastry board and rolling pin with a small amount of flour. This will keep your dough from sticking.

2. Roll out the cookie dough, forming a 1/4-inch thick circle. Cut the dough using a variety of gingerbread man cookie cutters. Use a floured or nonstick spray to coat the cookie cutter to keep the dough from sticking.

3. Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place all the cut gingerbread cookies on the cookie sheet, allowing enough space to expand.

4. Decorate each gingerbread man with raisins and dried fruit.

5. Bake the gingerbread cookies for 8 to 12 minutes, or however long your recipe calls for. Cookies are ready when the edges begin to brown, or you can test the firmness by pressing your finger lightly into the cookie; the dough will spring back when done.

6. Remove the cookies from the oven and completely cool on rack before decorating with icing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer your gingerbread cookies on the soft side, bake them a little less than the recipe states.

• Gingerbread cookies freeze well.