Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and set aside.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl and using a stand or hand mixer, combine the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and molasses until creamy and smooth.
Next, add in your egg yolk.
Lastly, pour in your dry ingredients and mix until fully combined (2-3 minutes) and a dough forms.
Flour a large surface and start kneading your gingerbread dough and roll out to around 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut our your gingerbread cookies with whichever shape you wish (we chose a classic gingerman/woman).
Place your cut out cookies on your parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. Watch them and pull them out once they are set. They will be soft to the touch but set around the edges. They will harden once cooled.
While your cookies are baking or right out of the oven, grab a bowl and combine your powdered sugar, vanilla, melted butter, and warm water. A glaze will form. Beat until nice and smooth.
Brush your cookies or dip them into your glaze and place on a cooling rack to cool. Add some colorful icing decorations as well if you wish! You can go as creative as you want or as classic as you want. We chose to stay with the simple and classic look.
