Last year we decorated gingerbread houses, but the boys do not like the taste of gingerbread so it was a waste in the long run, although it was fun.
So this year we decided to make our own gingerbread men and decorate them instead, so I set about finding a not so gingery gingerbread recipe. I couldn’t find one that was just perfect, so I adapted one until it was what we needed.
Ingredients
- 350g / 12oz plain flour
- 175g / 6oz light soft brown sugar
- 100g / 4oz butter
- 1 medium egg
- 4 tablespoons of golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees c.
- Pop the butter and the dry ingredients in to a bowl and mix until it resembles a bread crumb consistency. I call this tickling the mixture to the boys and it really helps.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract and golden syrup and mix with your hands until it comes together in to a dough.
- Wrap in cling film and put in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Flour a top and rolling pin and roll out to a 5mm thickness before cutting out your required shape and placing on a baking tray.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, then place on to a wire rack to cool.
- Decorate as required.
The secret ingredient of this recipe is the golden syrup makes it a very forgiving dough and it doesn’t over handle making it great for children. Also it has a real crispy chewy taste once cool.
We had even more fun decorating and eating them, as making them. The boys thought it was hilarious to eat part of the gingerbread man and then put red icing “blood” on! I also had a go at making reindeer (from the queen of crafts Matha Stewart) and will be making another batch tomorrow for all the teachers.
Whilst you have the gingeroput why not have a go at making this fun gingerbread playdough
We love Gingerbread too! Such a fab baking AND crafting activity for this time of year!!
And love the Reindeer Gingerbread going round at the moment, they are soooo cute!!! 😉
Maggy x
Mmmm… they look good! I always use golden syrup in my dough too. Will try out your recipe as my 2 aren’t that keen on anything too spicy either.
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Your Comments
They look and sound great – I’m taking down the recipe as I like chewy rather than cruchy, and have just bought some cutters from Lakeland shop which have stands on too for the biscuit to be vertical, if you see what I mean. That Santa plate is so cute, btw!
Diney – I love the though of ones that can stand up, so now off to Lakeland to have a look. I made the boys plate last year!
Amy – I guess it is pretty common with little ones, hope you like it.
Maggie – Reindeer ones are for Santa and also the teachers, but the boys ate them, so need to make more!
My mouth is watering right now!! I think I may give that recipe a try with Sophie.
Have you checked out the finalist list on British mummy bloggers? If you haven’t I think you should!! 😉
xx
Lovely biscuits, I’ll have to give your recipe a try. I’m never brave enough to mess around with baking recipes even tho’ with savoury stuff I rarely follow the recipe exactly. need to be a bit more bold I think! Juliex
@Julie: With savory I just throw it all in! I do get some mistakes with baking, but the boys eat them anyway!
Hi!
Just wanted to say hello and how much I enjoy reading your blog. I have followed you for a while now and thought it was about time to comment! I love your creative posts, they are always interesting to read and are not expensive to do either!
I made gingerbread men with my little girl at the weekend and she loved it, I used a similar recipe to yours and put less ginger in and they were nicer being less gingery (if there is such a word?!). Will be making some more so will try your recipe next time, I love golden syrup it is a fab ingredient to lots of things!
Take care
Ali
🙂
@Ali: Hello Ali, thank you for the wonderful complements and for delurking (is that a word)! I look forward to getting to know you a little more. How old is your little girl?
These look fab! XXX
nice recipe- might give it a try here at Squidgyboo! We made sugar cookies yesterday- so.much.fun!! I love Christmas time!
Hi again
I have a son aged 8 and my daughter is 6, so not that little any more really! She loves any sort of craft acvitity and always wants to help me with my baking but I love doing it by myself too lol
Ali
Oh you are such a good mummy and it looks like they had such fun making AND eating them!
I love the ungingerbread men’s facial expressions.
@JDaniel4′s Mom: Thanks for coming to my blog, yes the ungingerbread men are in shock apparently, they are scared that they are going to be eaten. I love the fact the boys have such imagination. I hope to see more of you.
Your Comments
Those reindeer are fab! I love them!
@Chris at Thinly Spread: I have had my orders we need to make some for Father Christmas! They are delicious and so effective
The little “oh!” face on the gingerbread man was priceless, lol.
@jen s*: Oh yes it is a shocked face, I love boys they are so funny!
I made these last week for my daughter’s school as they have a cake sale after their Christmas pageant. I made LOADS of Christmas trees, stockings etc and they went down a storm. I normally hate gingerbread but thought these tasted fab.
Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂