Gingerbread Men

Photo and recipe courtesy of taste.com.au

Makes 30 | Takes 1hr 35 mins to make, 55 minutes to cook 

INGREDIENTS

• 125g butter, softened
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 1/2 cups plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup white chocolate melts
• Silver cachous, to decorate

METHOD

Step 1
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add maple syrup and egg. Beat to combine.

Step 2
Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon over butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir until just combined and a soft dough forms. Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead gently until smooth. Shape in to a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Step 3
Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line 3 baking trays with baking paper. Roll dough between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using a 6.5cm long, 7cm wide gingerbread man cutter, cut shapes from dough. Re-roll dough scraps and cut to make a total of 30 gingerbread men. Place 2cm apart, on prepared trays.

Step 4
Bake 1 tray at a time for 20 to 25 mins, or until just firm to touch. Stand on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5
Place melts in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium-high (75%) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds or until smooth. Spoon into a small snap-lock bag. Snip off 1 corner. Pipe faces and buttons onto gingerbread men. Decorate with cachous. Set aside to set.

Photo and recipe courtesy of taste.com.au