My go-to Gingerbread Men recipe – taken from Cookie Magic by Kate Shirazi of Cakeadoodledo - with a few of my own alterations.

Ingredients

• 350g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 100g cold butter
• 175g dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons of golden syrup
• Pre-heat oven to 180°C
• Line two baking trays with silicon liners or greaseproof paper

Step 1

Sieve together flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and mixed spice into a large bowl.

Step 2

Cut the butter into cubes and rub into the flour with fingertips until it is all breadcrumb-y, then add the sugar.

Step 3

Beat together the egg and golden syrup in a jug (it will look horrible but don’t worry)

Step 4

Tip the egg and golden syrup mixture into the flour mixture and stir it well, use your hands to bring it together into a ball, if it is too sticky sprinkle on some extra flour, turn it out onto the work surface and knead it until it is a nice smooth dough. If you have time, wrap it up in clingfilm and put it in the fridge for 30mins but don’t worry if you don’t!

Step 5

roll it out to about 5mm thickness (thicker is better than thinner if you want squishier biscuits), cut out whatever Christmas / crazy shapes you fancy, lay them out on the lined baking trays (allow room for them to spread a bit)

Step 6

bake at 180°C for about 12 – 15mins until they have risen slightly are golden brown and look cooked, keep an eye on them as if they are overcooked, they go really hard.

Step 7

decorate with icing and sprinkles (classy and coordinated or otherwise!)