📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for perfectly baked cookies—don't skip this step!
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened butter and ¾ cup of packed light brown sugar. I find using a stand mixer makes this super easy, but a hand mixer works too. Get that mixture light and fluffy, like whipped cream!
3. Beat in 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl—you want everything evenly incorporated!
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground cloves, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed, giving you a consistent flavor in every bite.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don't overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten, leading to tough cookies. We want those soft and chewy cookies!
6. Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This really helps prevent spreading and ensures perfectly shaped cookies. I know, waiting is hard, but trust me on this one!
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it's manageable. Use a floured rolling pin to avoid sticking!
8. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men (or any shape you like!). Place the cut cookies onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Don't cram them together; they'll spread slightly as they bake.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overbaking; overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. These cookies bake pretty quickly, so watch them carefully!
10. Carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking while transferring to the rack.
11. Once the cookies are completely cool, you can decorate them with frosting and sprinkles! Let your imagination run wild and make your cookies uniquely yours. Maybe even make some snowmen!