METHOD

1. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon and pour into a bowl. Add the butter and mix until it looks like breadcrumbs.

Stir in the sugar.

2. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, add to the bowl and fold until the mixture clumps together. Tip the dough out, knead briefly until smooth, wrap in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas.

4. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper. Roll the dough out to a 0.5cm/1⁄4in thickness on a lightly floured surface. Using a cutter, cut out the gingerbread men shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a gap between them. 

5. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to

a wire rack to finish cooling.

When cooled decorate.

INGREDIENTS

350g/12oz plain flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

125g/4 ½ oz butter

175g/6oz light soft brown sugar

1 free-range egg

4 tbsp golden syrup

To decorate writing icing and

cake decorations (optional)