If you’re going to have gingerbread, it’s worth the extra effort and fun to make into smile bringing shapes, whether “people†or animals, or whatever your kids have up their sleeves!
INGREDIENTS
- apple sauce or cooked pureed apple
- bicarbonate of soda
- brown sugar
- Egg
- Ground ginger
- light molasses or golden syrup
- mixed spice
- ounces butter
- plain flour
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add the egg and beat well until smooth. Add the molasses and applesauce and beat until combined.
- Sift together the flour, spices and bicarbonate and, using a large spoon, fold into the butter mixture.
- Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest and allow for shrinkage.
- Place the dough between 2 sheets of parchment and roll out to about 1/8-1/4 inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cutter, or try freestyle for a personal touch, to cut out shapes.
- Place on trays about 1 inch apart. Repeat with any excess dough.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.
- Decorate as desired.