SPICED GINGERBREAD MAN

Ingredients
· 350g/12 oz plain flour sifted
· 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
· ¼ tsp salt
· 2 tsp ground ginger
· 1 tsp ground cinnamon
· 100g/4oz butter at room temperature
· 4 tbsp golden syrup
· 175g/6oz brown sugar
· 1 medium free-range egg

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/350F/Gas 4.
2. Mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and ginger together in a bowl.
3. Using a handheld electric whisk or free standing electric mixer add the butter, sugar, the egg and golden syrup.
4. Once combined kneed the mixture, adding a little flour if it is sticking.
5. Roll the dough, cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for an hour.
6. Whilst the dough is chilling, line a baking tray with baking parchment.
7. When ready, remove the dough from the fridge and roll (again adding a little flour if it is sticking) and using a gingerbread cutter, cut our your shapes and place them on the baking tray making sure they are not too close together.
8. Bake for 8 minutes and remove once cooked, leaving them to cool before decorating with coloured icings, currants or chocolate buttons.