Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:

Heat to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas 4. Line two trays with baking paper.

2. Mix dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, and cinnamon.

3. Rub in butter:

Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until it looks like fine breadcrumbs.

4. Add sugar and wet ingredients:

Stir in the sugar. Beat the egg and golden syrup together, then add to the bowl.

Mix to form a smooth dough. If sticky, add a little more flour. Chill for 30 mins if you can.

5. Roll and cut:

Roll the dough on a floured surface to about 5 mm thick.

Cut out shapes and place on the trays, leaving space between each one.

6. Bake:

Bake for 10–12 mins, until lightly golden. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

7. Decorate:

Mix icing sugar with a few drops of water to make a thick icing.

Pipe faces and buttons, and add sweets or silver balls.

Tips

• Bake for 10 mins for softer biscuits, or up to 12 mins for crisp ones.
• Store in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks.