Gingerbread Men
Lots of fun for children or adults
340g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground ginger
115g dairy-free baking margarine
170 light muscovado sugar
4 tablespoons golden syrup
1 egg
Place the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ginger in a bowl. Add the margarine and rub in with clean fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Beat the egg, and add it along with the syrup to the mixture. Mix to form a smooth dough, kneading lightly with the hands towards the end.
Clean and lightly flour a clean surface. Roll out one half of the doughto a thickness of 1/4 in (5 mm). Cut out the biscuit shapes using a cutter, or alternatively use a sharp knife to cut out your own shapes. Decorate with currants or other decorations at this stage. Place them on a greased baking tray and bake at 190°C for 10-12 minutes until they have darkened slightly. Allow them to cool slightly, then carefully put them on a wire rack to cool.
Makes about 20 biscuits.