Gingerbread Army

Each holiday I like to give my nearest and dearest a bag of baked goodies, especially to family and friends who you dont normally exchnge gifts with, so as I was catching up with my school friends for dinner, Saturday became Gingerbread Army Baking Day. This recipe is super easy and makes delicious Gingerbread that is not too overpowering with its taste.

Gingerbread Recipe

Makes  20 - 30 (depending on the shapes/sizes you are making

Ingredients

• 125g butter, at room temperature
• 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
• 125ml (1/2 cup) golden syrup
• 1 egg, separated
• 375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
• 1 tbs ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Plain flour, to dust
• 150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted
• Smarties, to decorate

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (oven or fan forced). Line 2 baking trays with baking/grease proof paper.
2. Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
3. Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut shapes and place on the trays about 1cm apart.  
4. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until corners start to brown (if using fan forced 7 minutes). Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool. 
5. Place egg white in a clean bowl, gradually stir in icing sugar until thick. Tint icing with food colouring if desired.
   
6. Pipe icing over gingerbread to decorate as desired. Finish with Smarties

 

These are the perfect gift for friends or addition to any christmas table.