Gingerbread Men

Work is finished for 9 days and i am firmly in the mood to get some festive treats baked for my guests arriving from Ireland. First on the list is this Gingerbread/Spiced biscuit recipe. I have baked these for many years, hung them on the tree or simply shared them over a glass of mulled wine…..  https://foodetcblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/mulled-wine/

Using molasses gives them a lovely colour and flavour.

The Gingerbread Men

420g                 Plain flour

1/4tsp               Salt

3/4tsp               Bicarbonate of soda

3tsp                  Ground ginger

2tsp                  Ground cinnamon

1/4tsp               Ground nutmeg

1/4tsp               Ground cloves

115g                 Unsalted Butter at room temperature

100g                 Granulated white sugar

1 large              Egg

160ml               Molasses (Black Treacle)

Method

Sieve together the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses and beat until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture beating until incorporated.

Divide the dough in half, and wrap each half in cling film and rest for 2 hours, overnight is best.

Preheat oven to 177 degrees and place rack in center of oven. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a gingerbread cutter to cut out the cookies.  With an offset spatula lift the cut out cookies onto the baking sheet, placing the cookies about 1 inch apart. If you are hanging the cookies or using as gift tags, make a hole at the top of the cookies with a straw or end of a wooden skewer.

Bake for about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. Small ones will take about 5-6 minutes; larger cookies will take about 8-10 minutes. They are done when they are firm and the edges are just beginning to brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for about 1 minute. When they are firm enough to move, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate with confectioners icing if you wish but I’ve left these plain and simple! Have a wonderful festive season.