Gingerbread Men & Merry Christmas
We had our first snow in London 2 days ago! I was so excited when I saw the snow flakes dropping from the sky! Probably, I was as excited as the kids, couldn’t wait to get out of the house and catch the snow flakes as they dropped from the sky. The snow didn’t stay like it did in February, which was probably the thickest snow that I have ever seen in my life! Well, I could only enjoy it from inside for not more than 30 minutes. However, the Met Office has given warning that there will be heavy snow tomorrow. Would it be true?
Anyway, I can’t believe that we are just one week away from Christmas! I have bought all the Christmas presents and they are nicely wrapped; all packed in my suitcases and ready to travel with me to France! Yup, we are going to France for 10 days! I can’t wait… can’t wait to see Paris, indulge in nice food and wine again. Perhaps, I should also start thinking about losing some weight after that. So, I guess, it fits well to my 2010 resolutions!
2010.. does sound scary. Time passes so quickly that I sometimes have to think what I did in the past few months not to mention years! Well, I think food blogging wise, it is as enjoyable as when I first started. During this time, I am glad to have known some really cool food bloggers! I am thankful for the existence of the Internet!
Whenever festive season is near, I tend to think of festive food. Like last year, I have prepared something sweet to share with you all. This year, gingerbread men recipe is what came to my mind. I hope all of you will love this, it’s fun to make, not only for kids, but adult like me had thoroughly enjoyed the whole process of making these little cuties!! I am hoping to continue posting as soon as I am back from my vacation. I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!
Gingerbread Men & Merry Christmas
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Yield:
20
Ingredients:
For the tGingerbread Men :
25g butter, softened plus extra for greasing
100g brown sugar
125ml golden syrup
1 egg, separated
375g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp mixed spice
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
150g icing sugar
8-10 drops red food colouring
8-10 drops blue food colouring
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter to lightly grease.
2. Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. 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.
3. Meanwhile, place egg white in a clean, dry bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Divide icing among 3 bowls. Cover 1 bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Add red colouring to 1 bowl and stir until combined. Add blue colouring to remaining bowl and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
4. Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. Use a 9cm gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes. Place on trays about 3cm apart. Repeat with any excess dough.
5. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.
