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    Home | Recipes | Cookies

    Halloween Gingerbread Men

    Oct 6, 2019 by Lou Carruthers | This post may contain affiliate links.

    11.7K shares
    Halloween Gingerbread Men - Pinterest Image

    How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year! With a quick and easy spicy gingerbread cookie dough and icing, these guys are perfect for little trick or treaters. With an updated recipe and some handy hints, it's time to get creepy and kooky...

    Jump to Recipe
    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year

    Yay! It's October, I've been waiting for it for ages. This means that it's wedding anniversary month, birthday month and lots of other exciting things... I'm beyond excited!

    It also means that Halloween is just around the corner!

    I love Halloween, not the scary horrible stuff but the nicer side of things.

    When we were in Florida for my birthday one Halloween, it was Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party that we headed for, rather than Universal's Evil Movies. I'd have had nightmares for weeks if we had visited there.

    Honestly, I'm such a wuss; I'll hide behind a cushion and stick my fingers in my ears when the Halloween film adverts come on.

    Take me to the gingerbread men already!

    If you want to skip the essential info and handy tips for making the most awesome Halloween Gingerbread Men, then you can head on down to the printable recipe card!

    Table of Contents
    • Not-so-scary Halloween treats
    • Tried and test gingerbread recipe
    • How to make Halloween gingerbread men
    • Handy Hints for the perfect gingerbread
    • Recommended Equipment
    • Looking for more Halloween bakes?
    • Recipe
    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year

    Not-so-scary Halloween treats

    Luckily for me, when it comes to Halloween baking, it tends to be less on the gruesome side and more on the Disney side... phew!

    I've had this skeleton gingerbread cutter sat in the cupboard since Spring. I brought it on the off-chance, and I think it's quite cool.

    It's a dual cookie cutter and embossing stamp, for the skeleton; and it ticks the cute spooky checkbox for making Halloween gingerbread men.

    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year

    Tried and test gingerbread recipe

    Anyway, Ian announced last week that he'd rather have biscuits and cookies to take to work, as he was making too much of a mess with cake.

    Seriously, how does he manage to make a mess? It's straight in, in a couple of bites for me; no crumbs, no mess. But this Boy takes his time over cake, and so the crumbs are inevitable.

    Cue the excuse to get skeleton cookie cutter out, and test-run a tweaked gingerbread recipe.

    Way back when I had the shop, I would make little gingerbread men to top off my white chocolate and gingerbread cupcakes.

    They were more short and biscuity, as they couldn't be too soft because of the buttercream. But they were a hit every year!

    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year

    How to make Halloween gingerbread men

    Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page

    The perfect gingerbread... IMHO!

    We're looking for a snap that then starts to soften after a day or so. Rock hard gingerbread isn't nice to eat and is only good for building houses that you're not going to devour.

    To kick up the spice a little, I've upped the ground ginger, added a little cinnamon and nutmeg, and switched the muscovado sugar for a soft light brown. You still get that golden colour, but it lets the ginger come through more.

    Decorating the gingerbread men

    You can make the skeleton gingerbread men without the embossing stamp by icing directly onto the cookies, but the embossing gives the icing somewhere to flood.

    The one thing to remember though, if you are using the embossing stamp, is to make sure you push down all over, else the emboss is shallow and has a tendency to bake out.

    TOP TIP: If the embossing bakes out, gently press the stamp into the baked cookies while they are still soft and warm; then leave to cool.

    Video: Halloween Gingerbread Men!

    https://youtu.be/mGvYFyCzBnA

    Handy Hints for the perfect gingerbread

    View my Amazon shopping list with equipment and ingredients.

    This is a super simple recipe, and the gingerbread dough is perfect for the Christmas holidays as well as Halloween. But to get the best dough every time, check out these top tips...

    • Chill your gingerbread dough - wrap the dough in clingfilm and pop in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out. It's easier to handle and less likely to stick to your rolling pin.
    • Add a sprinkle of water - if you find your dough breaks apart when rolling out, this usually indicates that it is too dry. Fix this by sprinkling a little cold water over the dough with your fingers, then gently bringing it back together before rolling out again.
    • Don't overwork the dough - handle the dough with care and you'll get great gingerbread men every time. Overworking or over-rolling the dough can cause the cookies to be tough. You're after a firm snap, not one that gives your teeth a workout.
    • Freeze leftover gingerbread dough - if you don't want to make a whole batch or you have dough leftover, wrap the dough tightly in clingfilm and freeze for up to 3 months
    • Humidity is the bane of a gingerbread man's life - make sure you keep your gingerbread somewhere cool and dry, and in an airtight container. Leaving it out will make it turn soft really quickly

    Recommended Equipment

    Rolling Pin & Pastry Mat

    Buy Now →
    Image of Skeleton Gingerbread Cutter

    Skeleton Gingerbread Cutter

    Buy Now →

    Piping Bag and Tips

    Buy Now →

    So if you're like me and don't do "scare the absolute wits out of yourself" Halloween tricks then biting the head off one of these skeleton gingerbread men is about as scary as you're going to get.

    Save Halloween Gingerbread Men to your favourite Pinterest board

    Halloween Gingerbread Men - Pinterest Image

    Looking for more Halloween bakes?

    Check out these other awesome Halloween recipes for inspiration.

    • Jack Skellington Marshmallow Pops
    • Halloween Ghost and Devil Cupcakes
    • Ghoulish Halloween Snack Mix
    • Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a ☆☆☆☆☆ rating and/or a review in the comments section.

    Recipe

    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Men for the spookiest night of the year

    Halloween Gingerbread Skeleton Men

    5 from 11 votes
    Servings: 12 Gingerbread Men
    They're creepy and kooky, and all together... cuties! How could you not resist these adorable Halloween Gingerbread Skeleton Men for the spookiest night of the year!
    Author: Lou Carruthers
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins

    Equipment

    Non-Stick Baking Sheet
    Baking Parchment Paper
    Skeleton Cookie Cutter
    Round Piping Tip/ Wilton #3

    Ingredients
     

    • 350 g Plain Flour or All Purpose flour
    • 150 g Light Soft Brown Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 100 g Butter Salted, Cold and Cubed
    • 1 Eggs Medium
    • 4 tablespoon Golden Syrup or Light corn syrup
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line two large baking trays with baking parchment.
    • In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking soda. Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips. The rubbed-in mixture should resemble fine breadcrumbs or sand. Add the sugar to the rubbed-in mixture.
      350 g Plain Flour, 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger, 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 150 g Light Soft Brown Sugar
    • In a separate bowl, add the egg and golden syrup. Whisk together.
      4 tablespoon Golden Syrup, 1 Eggs
    • Make a well in the centre of the rubbed-in mixture, and pour in the egg and golden syrup. Mix together to form a smooth dough.
    • Roll the dough into a sausage, wrap in cling-film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
    • Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and roll out on a floured surface to a thickness of approximately 3-5mm.
    • Using a gingerbread man cutter, cut out as many gingerbread men as possible. Gently lift onto the lined baking tray with a flat palette knife.
    • If using an embossing stamp, gently but firmly press onto the gingerbread men; or using a small knife or cocktail stick make holes for eyes, mouth and buttons.
    • Make sure the gingerbread men are spaced well apart to allow them to spread when they are baking. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Take the gingerbread men out of the oven and slide them off the baking tray and onto a cooling rack to cool.
    • To decorate, fill a piping bag fitted with a round piping nozzle, with Royal Icing and flood the embossed skeleton. Alternatively, fill a piping bag and snip off the end to make a very small opening.

    Notes

    • Chill your gingerbread dough - wrap the dough in clingfilm and pop in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling out. It's easier to handle and less likely to stick to your rolling pin.
    • Add a sprinkle of water - if you find your dough breaks apart when rolling out, this usually indicates that it is too dry. Fix this by sprinkling a little cold water over the dough with your fingers, then gently bringing it back together before rolling out again.
    • Don't overwork the dough - handle the dough with care and you'll get great gingerbread men every time. Overworking or over-rolling the dough can cause the cookies to be tough. You're after a firm snap, not one that gives your teeth a workout.
    • Freeze leftover gingerbread dough - if you don't want to make a whole batch or you have dough leftover, wrap the dough tightly in clingfilm and freeze for up to 3 months
    • Humidity is the bane of a gingerbread man's life - make sure you keep your gingerbread somewhere cool and dry, and in an airtight container. Leaving it out will make it turn soft really quickly

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Gingerbread ManCalories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 115mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 228IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg

    Disclaimer

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

    Did you make this recipe? Mention @crumbscorkscrews or tag #crumbscorkscrews!

    Copyright © 2022 Crumbs and Corkscrews. Unauthorised use and/ or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/ or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Crumbs and Corkscrews with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    11.7K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Renee Guill

      October 14, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      That's brilliant, why can't I think of stuff like this? Definitely pinning this.

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        October 15, 2019 at 3:11 pm

        Thanks Renee! Most of my ideas come at the most random times, then I have to remember to note them back or I forget.

    2. Monika Dabrowski

      October 13, 2019 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      Never made my own gingerbread men but you've explained it all so well I might give it a go. Theses look very cute and expertly decorated. Thank you for sharing your recipe with #CookBlogShare.

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        October 15, 2019 at 3:12 pm

        Thanks Monika! I love making gingerbread cookies especially this time of year, for Halloween and Christmas! Once you’re got a recipe that works for you it’s really quick to make.

    3. Donna

      October 12, 2019 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      argh, these look fab! We're making Halloween gingerbread tomorrow actually. They won't be as neat as yours!!

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        October 15, 2019 at 3:14 pm

        Thanks Donna! I bet your gingerbread looks and tastes amazing! I love these as the cookie cutter embossed gives you the guide so you get the perfect skeleton. If I did it freehand, it would be a right mess.. hah!

    4. Helen - Cooking with my kids

      October 09, 2019 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      These look perfect for Halloween - my kids would love them. And that cookie cutter sounds great. It makes it really easy.

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        October 09, 2019 at 8:17 pm

        Thanks Helen! Kids, big and little, love them. And yes, the cookie cutter is amazing! I love how simple it is to use, and that you don't have to be amazing with a piping bag and nozzle, the impression from the cutter means you can easily ice the skeleton, and even little ones ca as well.

    5. Lou

      August 14, 2018 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      Tried and tested recipe for Halloween and Christmas... love it!

      Reply
    6. Trish

      November 04, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      What can I sub golden syrup with? I read I can use corn syrup and sometimes even honey but I'm worried it would ruin the texture or the flavor. Has anybody made this with a sub for the golden syrup?

      Reply
      • Louise

        November 04, 2013 at 2:35 pm

        Hi Trish

        You can substitute Golden Syrup with corn syrup. It is slightly thinner but you can substitute it without having to change the quantities. Dark corn syrup is probably better for gingerbread, for the taste, but I couldn't see using light corn syrup making that much difference. I would think that honey would add a more distinct flavour, but could still be used.

        Hope that helps.

      • Trish

        November 06, 2013 at 3:58 pm

        I love gingerbread cookies but most recipes I've seen in the past call for molasses and oddly in my part of the world they sell molasses by the gallon and I don't exactly have much use for that quantity hence I've always ended up buying from Starbucks especially round the holiday season. Thanks for the response Louise. Can't wait to try it out!

      • Louise

        November 06, 2013 at 10:44 pm

        My pleasure. Hope that they work well for you, and a gallon of molasses is rather a lot to get through, hehe! I've a couple of ideas I want to try with the recipe for Christmas. Will pop them up if they work.

        Good luck 🙂

    7. Jo@simplybeingmum

      October 22, 2013 at 11:56 am

      About to share on my FB page... amazing

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 22, 2013 at 12:04 pm

        Thanks Jo! Really glad you like them. I've got some Christmas ideas for them and gingerbread house in mind that I'm looking forward to trying out 🙂

    8. Linno

      October 16, 2013 at 3:59 am

      These look so good, will definitely give them a go. I will have to pipe the skeletons freehand though, hope they will work!

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 16, 2013 at 9:24 am

        Thank you 🙂 I think with freehand the key is making sure the royal icing is the right consistency. I've some different ideas I want to do with them that I'll need to do freehand, which I hope will work too. Let me know how you get on with them!

      • Sonja

        October 23, 2016 at 10:08 am

        Hi, I would love to make these cookies, but will have to do the skeletons free hand. Do you have a recipe for royal icing that is the right consistency? I've never made that as well ?

    9. Kailley @ Kailley's Kitchen

      October 15, 2013 at 2:49 am

      Love these!! I'm absolutely making 'em for Halloween this year =)

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 15, 2013 at 8:38 am

        Thank you 🙂 I'm definitely making them again for Halloween, Ive a couple of different ideas I want to do with them as well.

    10. Emily @amummytoo

      October 12, 2013 at 8:50 pm

      LOVE these. Just so cute and really effective. I want those cutters!

      Thanks for linking up to #recipeoftheweek. I've Pinned and Stumbled this post, and there's a new #recipeoftheweek linky just gone live. I'd love you to pop over and join in again with another fab recipe post 🙂

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 13, 2013 at 6:07 pm

        Thanks Emily! I can't believe I left it so long to try the cutter out. I checked and they do have them in Lakeland 🙂

        All linked up again this week, with my latest post.

    11. Nutritious Deliciousness

      October 10, 2013 at 11:53 am

      how cute, any child would love those.

      Reply
    12. mummymakescakes

      October 09, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      I love the cutters. I have some fab skull ones to try out this week 🙂

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 10, 2013 at 8:32 am

        Oooo I love the idea of making some skull gingerbread as well. Let me know how you get on and will keep an eye on your blog too x

    13. Cwestbrook

      October 09, 2013 at 7:16 pm

      Help! i'm baking this recipe now, but can't see how much light brown sugar to put in? Cwesty

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 7:18 pm

        Hi, oops I'll pop it in the recipe now but it's 150g 🙂

      • Cwestbrook

        October 09, 2013 at 7:19 pm

        Thanks for replying so promptly! Lifesaver!

      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 7:20 pm

        No worries 🙂 Hope they work out for you.

    14. WENDY MCDONALD (@wendymcd83)

      October 09, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      Love the design - perfect for Halloween. (Here via #recipeoftheweek)

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 6:06 pm

        Thank you 🙂 Perfect for Halloween or can be decorated for Christmas without the skeleton; I've a couple of ideas in min, but it's a bit too early just yet.

    15. HonestMum

      October 09, 2013 at 9:33 am

      These are wonderful! I love Le Manoir (Raymond Blanc even joined us for breakfast once many years ago)-love him! Thanks so much for linking up to #tastytuesdays!

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 9:50 am

        I am SO excited about the patisserie course, and I love Le Manoir and RB. I can't wait; will definitely be posting about it 🙂 Pleasure to link up too x

    16. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry

      October 08, 2013 at 9:26 pm

      I love this idea. I think I am going to have to borrow it......

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 9:48 am

        Thank you! Do borrow it; you don't have to do the skeleton thing. They work perfectly as normal gingerbread men with Smartie buttons and everything else.

    17. Vohn

      October 08, 2013 at 10:18 pm

      They are so fab! Great icing skills Louise - I could never be that neat! Vohn x

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 09, 2013 at 9:49 am

        Thanks Vohn! The beauty of the stamp is that it means there's a guide for icing, so it helps with the neatness 😉 x

    18. sarahhillwheeler

      October 08, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Seriously cute (for a skeleton) and I like the fact you have adapted to keepn the gingerbread soft.

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 08, 2013 at 11:27 am

        Thanks. I'm not very good with Halloween; I'm more cute and spooky than scary and evil, lol! I do hate it when gingerbread goes teeth-breakingly rock hard, I prefer it to go soft. This still has a snap but isn't too hard on the teeth 🙂

    19. Alison

      October 08, 2013 at 10:14 am

      I love these, very clever

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 08, 2013 at 11:25 am

        Thank you! I've been wanting to make these for ages.

    20. Only Best For Baby

      October 08, 2013 at 8:24 am

      These are great gingerbread men, perfect for Halloween!

      Reply
      • Louise

        October 08, 2013 at 9:26 am

        Thank you 🙂 I'm more a nice Halloween sort of person, I don't like all the scary, horrid stuff so these are perfect for me!

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