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www.janbilton.co.nz

Gingerbread People

125g butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup, firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup golden syrup
1 egg
2 1/2 cups standard flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon each: mixed spice, baking soda
flour for dusting

Using an electric beater, cream the butter and sugar in a bowl, until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg and beat, until combined.

Sift in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and baking soda and mix well.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, until smooth. Press the dough into a disc. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.

Place the dough between 2 sheets of greaseproof paper and roll out until about 5mm thick. Use a gingerbread person cutter (9cm approximately) to cut out shapes. Place on the trays about 3cm apart. Press any excess dough together, roll out and cut out more gingerbread people.

Bake for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from the oven. Transfer to a rack to cool. Decorate as preferred. Makes about 20.