Gingerbread People Recipe
Introduction
Gingerbread people are a fun and festive treat perfect for holiday baking or anytime you want a spiced cookie with character. These soft, flavorful biscuits are easy to make and fun to decorate, making them a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 175g dark muscovado sugar
- 85g golden syrup
- 100g butter
- 350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 egg, beaten
- Ready-made writing icing
- Chocolate buttons or small sweets (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt the dark muscovado sugar, golden syrup, and butter together in a saucepan, then allow the mixture to bubble gently for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and leave it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and cinnamon. Add the warm syrup mixture and beaten egg, then stir everything together until combined. Gently knead the dough in the bowl until it’s smooth and streak-free. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the dough from the fridge and let it soften at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas Mark 6 and line two baking trays with baking parchment.
- Step 4: Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough to about the thickness of a £1 coin. Use a gingerbread person cutter to cut out shapes. Re-roll any excess dough and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
- Step 5: Transfer the gingerbread people to the prepared trays and bake for 10-12 minutes, swapping the trays halfway through baking for even cooking. Allow the biscuits to cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 6: Once cooled, decorate the gingerbread people with ready-made writing icing and stick on chocolate buttons or small sweets as buttons if you like. Leave the decorations to dry for 1-2 hours before serving or storing.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra festive touch, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the spice mix.
- If you prefer a softer biscuit, roll the dough slightly thicker before cutting.
- Use a mixture of colored icings and different sweets to create unique, colorful gingerbread people.
Storage
Store the decorated gingerbread people in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to three days. If you want to refresh them, warm gently in the oven for a few minutes before serving to restore some softness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and keep it wrapped in the fridge for up to 24 hours before rolling and baking.
Why does the dough need to chill?
Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut without sticking or losing shape during baking.
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Gingerbread People Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 gingerbread people cookies (depending on cutter size) 1x
Description
Deliciously spiced gingerbread people cookies made with muscovado sugar, golden syrup, and warming spices. These classic festive biscuits are perfect for decorating with icing and sweets, making them a fun and tasty treat for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 175g dark muscovado sugar
- 85g golden syrup
- 100g butter
- 1 egg, beaten
Decoration
- Ready-made writing icing
- Chocolate buttons or small sweets (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the syrup mixture: Melt the dark muscovado sugar, golden syrup, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Let it bubble gently for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and leave to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Add the warm syrup mixture and the beaten egg, then stir everything together thoroughly. Knead gently in the bowl until the dough is smooth and streak-free. Wrap the dough tightly in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Line two baking trays with baking parchment. Remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to soften at room temperature.
- Roll and cut the cookies: Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll out the dough to about the thickness of a £1 coin (approximately 3mm). Use a gingerbread person cutter to cut out shapes. Gather and re-roll leftover dough as needed to use it all up.
- Bake the gingerbread: Place the cutouts on the lined baking trays and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, swapping the trays halfway through for even cooking. Once baked, leave them to cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the gingerbread people with ready-made writing icing and stick on chocolate buttons or small sweets as buttons or other embellishments. Allow the decorations to dry for 1-2 hours before serving or storing.
Notes
- The dough firms as it cools and chills, so be sure not to over-roll or it may crack.
- Use muscovado sugar for a richer, deeper flavor in the gingerbread.
- Ensure baking trays are well lined to prevent sticking.
- The gingerbread keeps fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container.
- Feel free to get creative with decorations—icing colors and candy choices can be customized.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: gingerbread cookies, gingerbread people, festive biscuits, holiday baking, spiced cookies
