Munchies Daily: Winter Warmers: Gingerbread Cookies

Christmas reminds me of spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. It reminds me of baking--of cupcakes and cookies and Yule Logs. Christmas is a magical and wonderful time of year. My baking creativity is through the roof at Christmas Time, so I am going to share with you my favourite - and possibly the best - Gingerbread recipe of all time.

Ingredients:

350g Plain Flour
1 Teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
125g Butter
175g Light Soft Brown Sugar
1 Egg
4 Tablespoons Golden Syrup

Method:

Step One: Cut butter up into small squares and rub into sifted flour, Bicarb of Soda, Ginger and Cinnamon. If this takes too long, feel free to use a food processor. Once the mixture has turn to breadcrumbs (note, the mixture may look very fine) tip it out into a mixing bowl and stir in brown sugar.

The 'Breadcrumb'-y mixture

Step Two: Beat the egg in a mug or cup and add the golden syrup (This will make it easier to get out the syrup out of the cup) once mixed together, add the flour mixture back into the food processor and add the egg mixture. PULSE the processor until the syrup has mixed in. If needed add another half a teaspoon of golden syrup.

Egg and Syrup Mixture

Flour and Syrup added together

Step Three: Tip back into mixing bowl and work the dough together--It may seem a bit dry bit do not add any more to it. Once it's brought together knead it quickly, cling film it and pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

What the dough should look like
(Not really the photo is too dark)

That's more like it

Step Four: Preheat the oven to 180°C(350°F/Gas Mark 4). Roll out your dough on a floured surface. Roll it out as thick as you like although I recommend 1cm thickness-- Try and make all of them the same width to bake evenly. Cut them out with any festive cutters you own, I used Christmas Trees, Stars and Gingerbread women.

Step Five: Place your cookies on a greased baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes. Once out the oven leave to cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Decorate you Cookies with White decorating icing and silver balls.