Gingerbread Men

Hi all,

So, around Christmas time I bake Gingerbread men. I usually only bake them this time of year, so they are extra special. I found this recipe a few years ago on the BBC website, and it has been my fail safe recipe. The gingerbread (people) always come out crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, which is how I like them. They are really quick and easy to make, and if you want to you can go all out decorating them too. (I did this with a group of kids at my old school and they really enjoyed it)

So read on to find out how to make these delicious christmas treats...

Ingredients:

1. 350g plain flour
2. 1 tsp ground ginger
3. 1/2 tsp ground cloves
4. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
5. 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
6. 100g butter
7. 175g soft brown sugar
8. 1 egg
9. 4 tbsp Golden Syrup

I have all of my ingredients ready!
 Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5.

1. Mix together the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda. (I am using a food mixer, but you can easily make them with a wooden spoon!)

 2. Rub in the butter until it looks like breadcrumbs.

3. Add the sugar.

4. In a separate bowl mix together the egg and golden syrup then add to the dry ingredients. (or just put them straight into the bowl with your dry ingredients, it saves washing and tastes exactly the same!)

5. Mix together until it forms a dough. Tip out onto a clean, floured work surface and knead for a minute or two until it is smooth. 

6. Roll out the dough to the depth of a pencil (approx 5mm) and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. If you want to hang them on tree remember to use a straw to punch a hole in the top. (If you have any problems with the dough sticking, just use a little more flour on the surface)

7. Lay the biscuits on a greased baking tray (or a baking tray with baking paper on) and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. (This is how I space them out.. too close together and they end up holding hands.. and heads.. and feet...)

Now your gingerbread people are ready to be decorated... or not if you don't have time because your too tempted to eat them!

Hope you enjoyed and that you give these ago

xox Niamh xox