Gingerbread Men

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups plain flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)

• ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 150g butter (softened)

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• 1 egg

• ½ cup golden syrup

For Decorating:

• Icing sugar + water (to make icing)

• Food colouring (optional)

• Mini M&Ms, choc chips, or sprinkles

Steps:

1. Mix dry ingredients:In a large bowl, add flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine.

2. Cream butter & sugar:In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and smooth.

3. Add egg & syrup:Mix in the egg and golden syrup until fully combined.

4. Combine wet & dry:Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.Stir or knead gently until it forms a smooth dough.

5. Chill the dough:Flatten dough into a disc, wrap it or put it in a container, and chill for 20–30 minutes.(Makes rolling and cutting easier!)

6. Roll & cut shapes:Lightly flour the table.Roll dough to about 5mm thick.Use gingerbread man cutters to cut out shapes.Place them onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.

7. Bake:Bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes until slightly firm and lightly golden.Let cool completely before decorating.

8. Decorate:Make a simple icing using icing sugar and a splash of water (or food colouring).Pipe faces, buttons, bowties, clothes, etc.Add sprinkles, M&Ms, or choc chips as extra decorations.

Other Information:

• This recipe makes around 20–24 medium-sized gingerbread men.

• Dough can be made ahead and kept chilled for 2 days.

• Great for younger kids to decorate while older ones help measure and mix.

• You can also cut alternative shapes (stars, hearts, trees) for children who prefer them.

• Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.