Sturdy NO CHILL Gingerbread Cookies

I created this gingerbread cookie recipe, like so many other recipes, out of virtue of necessity. These Sturdy No Chill Gingerbread Cookies require no chilling - just roll, cut, and bake. And it won't spread! This is an easy gingerbread cookie recipe that's the ideal gingerbread man recipe for preschoolers, younger kids, or when you have limited time, because there is no waiting around for cookie dough to chill! This dough doesn't even require a mixer or a stove - it's made in the microwave!

These tough gingerbread cookies are perfect for decorating with kids because they're sturdy enough to withstand drops and easy to fix with strong royal icing (see my recipe). They taste amazing too, making them ideal for kids as young as preschoolers!This no chill no spread gingerbread cookie recipe is very popular during the holiday season and was inspired by a baking activity I did with my daughter's Girl Guide group. Who wants to wait around for cookie dough to chill anyway? Life is too short!

🥘Ingredient Notes

And because I was making these cookies at another leader's house (with only one stove), they needed to be made without the stovetop, so I made this gingerbread cookie dough recipe microwaveable as well.

You'll need the following ingredients for the cookies:

• Molasses. You can use light, dark, or blackstrap molasses.
• Brown Sugar. Use dark or light brown sugar - it will only change the color of the cookies slightly.
• Vegetable Shortening. I use whatever I have on hand (Crisco, No Name etc. )

You'll need the following items for Decorations:

• Candy Eyes. You don't have to use candy eyes, but they are easier than other options, especially when working with kids.
• Candies. When choosing candies for the hugging gingerbread man, it's important to use the hard peppermint candies (in the photos) so they won't melt in the oven. They come in a variety of colors.

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• Sprinkles- you can use any color and type of jimmies, nonpareils, dragees (larger ball sprinkles), or sugar pearls.
• String/Ribbon- Either can be used to hang up the decorated gingerbread man.

🔪Step-by-Step: How to Make No Chill Gingerbread Cookies

This gingerbread cookie dough requires no chilling - you don't even need a hand mixer.

PREP: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.

MAKE THE DOUGH: In a large bowl, blend together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger. (Image 1). In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt shortening for 45 seconds to 1 minute (Image 2). Whisk the sugar, molasses, and egg into the melted shortening and continue to whisk until completely incorporated. (Image 3) Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spoon until the mixture is too stiff to continue using a spoon. (Image 4)

ROLL AND CUT THE COOKIES: Use your hands to finish mixing (Image 5 ). Roll cookie dough out onto a lightly floured surface to about ⅛ inch thickness (Image 6). Cut cookies into desired shapes using a regular or large gingerbread boy or girl cookie cutter (Image 7). If you want to be able to hang up your gingerbread man, make a hole with a piping tip (or something similar) (Image 8).

**You need to decide which cookies you are making BEFORE BAKING so you can put the holes in them or add the candy (for the hugging gingerbread man).

MAKE THE CUT OUTS AND PREPARE TO BAKE THE COOKIES: Place cookies on an UNGREASED cookie sheet by moving them with a spatula (Image 9). This gingerbread man cookie recipe can be made into different designs, even with the same gingerbread man cookie cutter. Kids can make a gingerbread man or turn it upside down and make a gingerbread reindeer! If you want to make the dancing girl, cut off the legs and make two holes above them (using a large gingerbread girl cookie cutter is ideal, but I used a small one in this photo). If you want to make a hugging gingerbread man, place a candy on the gingerbread man's chest and fold the arms over. *Don't worry if they break; you can simply 'glue' them back on with a little water. No one will notice (mine broke, and I had to do that) (Image 10).

BAKE AND COOL THE COOKIES: Bake for 8-10 minutes (Image 11 ) Cool for 3-5 minutes on a cooling rack (Image 12 )

DECORATE THE COOKIES: Decorate baked cookies with royal icing and sprinkles.

Rudolph the Gingerbread Man This is simply a gingerbread man turned upside down! Roll out, cut, and bake the gingerbread men. Let cool. Using a Ziploc bag with some white frosting, add a dot to where you want to put the nose, and add a red candy or any color you prefer! Add two dots for the eyes, then add candy eyes. Starting from between his eyes, pipe antlers up the legs of the gingerbread man. (Image 13 )

Hugging Gingerbread Man Cookies
Roll the cookie dough out on a well-floured surface. Cut out a few gingerbread men using a gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place them onto a cookie sheet. Place a peppermint candy on the gingerbread man's chest, then carefully fold his arms over the candy. If the arms break, you can "glue" the back on with a little water. Bake in the oven. Let cool and decorate as desired. (Image 14)

Dancing Gingerbread Girl
Roll the cookie dough out on a well-floured surface. Cut out a few gingerbread girls using a large gingerbread girl cookie cutter (affiliate link) or use a smaller gingerbread girl cookie cutter. Then cut off the legs. Cut out two finger-sized holes using the back of a piping tip. Carefully place them on a cookie sheet and bake. Let cool and decorate as desired. (Image 15) VIDEO: WATCH The Dancing Gingerbread Cookie Girl Video HERE

🌡️Storage

Fridge: You can keep these cookies at room temperature, in an airtight container for about 2- weeks. The dough can be kept in the fridge for a maximum of 2 days.

Freezer: You can freeze them for up to 6 months, or you could freeze the dough for up to 3 months. You can read more about storing gingerbread cookies HERE.

❔ Recipe FAQ's