Disclaimer: Onya Magazine always strongly encourages you to support Australian owned businesses, especially when it comes to food. But, an Australian owned businesses may not necessarily support enough of Australia. Look for Australian made products – products made with local ingredients in Australia. Be sure to check packaging and read the fine print carefully. Choose fresh, good quality produce where possible, from ethical companies.
Welcome to the first of Onya’s recipe series. We’ve decided to kick things off quick, easy and Christmassy this week. And what a better way than with Gingerbread Men (or Women).
Preparation time: 15 minutes (less if you’re fast, more if you’re slow)
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 30-35 (depending on the size of your cutter)
Ingredients:
125g butter
1/2 cup golden syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
2 1/2 cups self raising flour, sifted
Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 180ºC (conventional) or 160ºC (fan forced)
2. Combine butter, golden syrup and brown sugar in a small pan and melt. Place in a bowl to cool. Stir in egg yolk and the remaining dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Turn onto plastic wrap and press into a flat disc. Cool in fridge for up to 1 hour (so the mixture firms).
3. Roll dough to 7-8mm, or thickness you desire (not too thick), on a lightly floured surface. Cut gingerbread men (or any shape you like really, Christmassy, preferably). Place on a tray lined with baking paper, and bake for 7-10 minutes until firm. Keep your ginger people on the tray 5 minutes after you’ve removed them from the oven, then transfer them to a cooling tray until, well, cool.
4. Once cool, decorate them with icing pens.
