These are the best gingerbread mini cookies I have made with reduced sugar. Perfect for little ones (over 1 year)  in a lunchbox or as a snack. They can also be decorated with edible pens for a lovely Christmas activity.

Why you will love these mini gingerbread cookies

• Easy to put together in 1 hour, including the chill time
• Gingery but not too much fire and reduced sugar
• Mini gingerbread – cute and perfect for decorating with icing for Christmas
• Makes a small batch of gingerbread cookies but you could make a larger batch
• Freezable
• Perfect for lunchboxes and children over 1 year.

Gingerbread mini cookies Ingredients

Here’s what I included in this recipe or what you need to make it.

Plain Flour

Standard all purpose plain flour does the job.

Dark Brown Sugar

I used soft dark sugar is it gives that lovely dark brown colour and a slight taste of molasses. 

Maple syrup

I used this for its sweetness and liquid to help bind the dough

Other ingredients

Unsalted butter (at room temperature)

Medium egg

Baking soda

Spices (ginger and cinnamon)

How to make these tiny gingerbread men

Step 1

Weigh the butter and brown sugar into a bowl and beat with spoon until mixed, creamy and turning lighter in colour.

Step 2

Add the egg to the bowl and beat until combined. It may look a bit lumpy but it will become smoother when the other ingredients are mixed in. 

Step 3

Add the dry ingredients – plain flour, spices (ginger, cinnamon) and baking soda gradually and mix together. 

Step 4

Add the maple syrup and continue to mix until a ball comes together and then use your hands to work it and make it into a smooth soft dough ball.

Step 5

Leave the gingerbread dough to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Whilst it is resting turn the oven on to 180c.

Step 6

Take the gingerbread out of the fridge and use a little flour to dust the work surface. Roll the dough out until it is about 5mm or ½ cm thick. Using a mini gingerbread cookie cutter, cut out the gingerbread men and place onto a baking sheet lined with greaseproof or parchment paper. 

Step 7

Cook for about 12- 15 minutes until a little risen and firmer. They will still be a little soft to the touch but they will harder up once they are cooling.

Step 8

Leave to cool fully on the baking sheet. Once cool, transfer to an airtight container.

Variations

Flour -you can use a wholemeal plain flour instead which will give it a bit more texture. You may need to add a drop of milk if the dough seems more dry though.

Syrup -You can use golden syrup, nectar or honey instead of maple syrup. If you use honey ensure you are not giving these cookies to babies under 1 year.

Ginger – Add a teaspoon more ground ginger for extra ginger spice

Tips and storage

• Store in a airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 
• The dough can be made in advance and left in the fridge for a few days until you want to roll the cookies out and bake them. 
• Alternatively the dough could be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost and follow steps 6 – 8.
• These cooked mini gingerbread men cookies would make a lovely gift. SImply decorate how you like and place some into a small clear cellophane bag and tie with ribbon. 

Gingerbread mini cookies recipe

Gingerbread mini cookies

Reduced sugar gingerbread cookies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Course Snack

Ingredients

  

• 40 grams dark brown sugar
• 15 grams maple syrup
• 225 grams plain flour
• 60 grams unsalted butter
• 1 medium egg
• 3 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Beat the softened butter and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl
• Add the egg and mix to combine
• Add the flour and spices (ginger, cinnamon and soda)
• Add the syrup and mix to form a dough (add a little drop of milk if needed)
• Wrap in cling film and leave the ball of dough to chill for 30 mins unti firm. Turn the oven on to heat up to about 180c
• Roll out to about half a cm thick and cut out the mini gingerbread men
• Place on lined baking sheets
• Cook for about 12- 15 minutes
• Take out of oven and leave to cool completely

Keyword gingerbread mini cookies

Make sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see and share your creations!

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Healthier chocolate chip cookies

Ginger crackles