Gingerbread Men Recipe

Method

• Preheat the oven to 170C,150C fan, gas 3. Sift the flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and spices into a large bowl.

• In a separate bowl using an electric whisk beat the butter, sugar and golden syrup until pale and creamy. Add the egg and yolks gradually beating well after each addition.

• Add the flour mixture and mix until it all comes together. Divide into 2, wrap with cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 mins or overnight.

• Remove from the fridge and allow to soften slightly. Roll out to the thickness of a £1coin and using gingerbread men cutters cut out families of biscuits. Re roll cookie dough remains together to use all of the dough.

• Place on lined baking trays and bake in batches for 10-15 minutes until golden. Leave to cool slightly on the trays before transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Make the icing buy placing the egg white in a bowl and adding the icing sugar gradually to build up a paste. Add the lemon juice and stir well. Spoon into an icing into an icing bag with a fine nozzle and pipe on faces, buttons and clothes.