Lucy M. These cookies are full of warm spices and have a soft, chewy bite with a golden finish.
There’s something magical about baking gingerbread men, especially when it’s the classic Mary Berry Gingerbread Men recipe. I’ve made these so many times during holidays and rainy afternoons. The smell of ginger and sweet syrup fills the house, and it just feels cozy. These cookies are not only tasty but also fun to decorate. My kids love giving each one a silly face or buttons made of currants. Every time I bake them, they bring back sweet memories and make new ones too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (230g) salted butter
- 1 cup (225g) light muscovado sugar
- 2½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 tablespoons golden syrup (or light corn syrup)
- 3¼ cups (400g) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Currants, for decorating
Instructions
- First, grab a large saucepan. Add the butter, sugar, and golden syrup. Warm it over low heat until everything melts together. Stir often so it doesn’t stick or burn.
- Take it off the heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Once it’s slightly cooled, stir in the beaten egg.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and ground ginger. Slowly add the dry mix into the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon until it forms a thick dough.
- Tip the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it just a bit until it’s smooth. If it’s sticky, add a tiny bit more flour.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps it roll out better.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes.
- Place them on the baking sheet with a little space between each one. Add currants for eyes, buttons, or smiles!
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Let them cool for 5 minutes before moving to a rack.
Pair your gingerbread treats with a homemade Christmas cake—a festive favorite that’s ideal for family gatherings.
mary berry gingerbread men
Ingredients
Method
- First, grab a large saucepan. Add the butter, sugar, and golden syrup. Warm it over low heat until everything melts together. Stir often so it doesn’t stick or burn.
- Take it off the heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Once it’s slightly cooled, stir in the beaten egg.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and ground ginger. Slowly add the dry mix into the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon until it forms a thick dough.
- Tip the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it just a bit until it’s smooth. If it’s sticky, add a tiny bit more flour.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps it roll out better.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use your favorite gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes.
- Place them on the baking sheet with a little space between each one. Add currants for eyes, buttons, or smiles!
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden. Let them cool for 5 minutes before moving to a rack.
Notes
Fun Ways to Involve Kids
Baking Mary Berry Gingerbread Men is one of those kitchen moments where kids can really join in and enjoy themselves. I always let my kids help with the cookie cutters—they love choosing the shapes and pressing them into the dough. You can also set up a little decorating station with icing, sprinkles, and currants. Let them give each gingerbread man a silly face or buttons down the front. Younger kids can help mix dry ingredients or roll out the dough (with a bit of help). Older ones might enjoy brushing on egg wash or arranging the cookies on the tray. It gets messy, sure—but that’s half the fun! Plus, it keeps them engaged and proud of what they made. I’ve found it’s a great way to bond and make memories, especially around the holidays.Nutritional Value (Per Cookie – Approximate)
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1.5g
Fun Ways to Involve Kids
Baking Mary Berry Gingerbread Men is one of those kitchen moments where kids can really join in and enjoy themselves. I always let my kids help with the cookie cutters—they love choosing the shapes and pressing them into the dough. You can also set up a little decorating station with icing, sprinkles, and currants. Let them give each gingerbread man a silly face or buttons down the front.
Younger kids can help mix dry ingredients or roll out the dough (with a bit of help). Older ones might enjoy brushing on egg wash or arranging the cookies on the tray. It gets messy, sure—but that’s half the fun! Plus, it keeps them engaged and proud of what they made. I’ve found it’s a great way to bond and make memories, especially around the holidays.
Conclusion
These Mary Berry Gingerbread Men are simple to make, smell amazing, and always turn out just right. They’re perfect for holiday baking or just for fun with the kids. I’ve made these so many times, and they never last long in the cookie tin! Once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make them every year.
