Ginger Goodies

A classic for me is the good old ginger bread man. I got my recipe from Blue Peter years ago. And now I will show you a few I made earlier!
Going with my decorating theme, today was the first time I have completed the whole process of baking and decorating a ginger bread man - usually they are scoffed before they get anywhere near a piping bag!

Gingerbread Men

Ingredients for biscuits

250g Plain flour

100g Margarine

1 tsp orange juice

100g Brown sugar

2 tsps Ground ginger

1 tbsp Black treacle

1 tbsp Golden syrup

Ingredients for decoration

5 tbsp Icing sugar

1 tbsp water

Pink food colouring

Smarties (or chosen sweet)

1. Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees.

2. Weigh out the flour, margarine and orange juice, stir together.

3. When mixed add the sugar and ginger.

4. Put 2 table spoons into a cup of boiled water to warm.

5. Using the warmed spoons, add the golden syrup and black treacle and gradually stir in with your hands to form a stiffer mix.

6. Once combined form into a ball and place onto a lightly floured surface.

7. Roll out mixture to the thickness of 1cm or to your own choice depending on the texture of biscuit you desire. The thicker the softer.

8. Using chosen cutters cut out biscuits and place onto a grease proof paper lined tray.

9. Re roll the excess mixture. And cut out again. Try and use as much of the mixture as possible. ( fun tip, if you have kids let them try and making other objects with the left overs, my favourite used to be a snail simple and easily recognisable)

10. Cook in the Pre heated over for 10 mins

11. Once cooked bring out to cool. While cooling start on the icing.

12. Mix icing sugar in a bowl with water. Add extra if needed to make the correct consistency

13. Place cooled ginger bread men on a tray for decoration.

14. Simply pipe 2 white dots for eyes and 2 large dollops on the tummy for the buttons.

15. When all the white icing is done add a few drops of food colouring. Use this coloured icing to make a mouth on the face. And add the smarties onto the white dollops on the stomach.

Now enjoy these easy to make and personalised biscuits. Great for all ages. And the perfect ginger goody.

Although these are great for all ages another ginger treat enjoyed more by the adults are the ginger tray bakes. A more cakey product which can be enjoyed with a cup of tea or an after dinner treat warmed up served with ice cream

Ginger Tray Bake

Ingredients

175g Unsalted butter

150g Muscavado sugar

175g Golden syrup

2 large eggs beaten

225g Self raising flour

100g Wholemeal flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease a deep square tin and Lin the base with greaseproof paper.

2. Place the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a sauce pan and heat gently, stirring until melted, remove from heat.

3. Beat in the eggs, flour and ground ginger, beat thoroughly to mix evenly.

4. Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and cook for 40-45 mins or until risen and firm to touch.

5. Allow to cool in the tray, the remove and cut into square.

6. Enjoy!

A yummy treat with a full ginger flavour. You could even add some decoration or icing to make it a more tempting snack.