Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Cooking Time : 15 minutes

Makes : 10 – 15 gingerbread men

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Ingredients :

• 350g plain flour
• 3 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional)
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 100g butter
• 175g soft brown sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 4 tbsp Golden Syrup or treacle
• Cold water to mix

Icing Ingredients :

• Icing sugar
• Lemon juice or water
• Food coloring
• Smarties /currants

Equipment :

• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon and teaspoon
• Baking tray
• Rolling pin
• Clingfilm or plastic bag

----- Gingerbread cookie recipe -----

Method :

1. Preheat the oven to 180C /Gas mark 4. Then lightly grease the baking tray with a little butter.
2. In the bowl, mix together the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda
3. Rub in the butter until it all resemble fine breadcrumbs and then add the sugar
4. Beat the eggs and add to the mixture along with the golden syrup or treacle
5. Using your hands, mix the mixture together until it forms a soft dough. If it is too dry, just add a dessertspoon of warm water.
6. Wrap the dough in Clingfilm or a plastic bag and pop it in the fridge for 1/2 hour. Use this time to wash up.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough until it is about 5cm (1/4 in) thick. Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter cut out your men and carefully lift them onto the greased tray. Place then about 5cm (2 in) apart
8. Cook in the oven for 10 – 12 minutes until golden brown. If you are like me and like them a little soft in the middle then 10 minutes may be fine.
9. Cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely

To Make the Icing :

Mix some icing sugar with a little lemon juice or water to form a smooth but not runny icing. Add coloring if you want. Then decorate to your hearts content.

I like to make eyes with small smarties 'glued' on with a blob of icing and then add colored icing blobs for buttons.