You will need
5 tbsp golden syrup
110g soft brown sugar
150g butter/coconut oil
350g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarb of soda
4 tsp ground ginger
Optional for Christmassy flavour:
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Method
- Heat the syrup, sugar and butter until bubbling. Cool for 5 mins.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the syrup mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a dough.
- Wrap in cling film and put in the fridge for at least 30 mins. If you leave it overnight, remove the dough from the fridge an hour before you want to use it.
- Preheat the oven to 180°c.
- Cut the dough into quarters and knead in your hands. Press or roll out into a circle 5mm thick. Cut out shapes and put them on a baking tray. Leave at least 2cm between shapes on the tray.
- For tree decorations, make a hole in the shapes before baking. Smaller ones last longer before going soft.
- Bake for 10-12 mins or until brown around the edges. Cool for a little on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To decorate, mix icing sugar with water and a dash of lemon juice, or use melted chocolate. We like making reindeer faces by using upside-down gingerbread men, with the legs as antlers and the arms as ears!
Recipe by Emma