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Here is a simple recipe for gingerbread biscuits (cookies). These can be made for any occassion using appropriate cutters, the example used here is for Halloween. I made these with our 3 year old daughter who enjoyed both making and eating them :-) Great fun for kids and adults.

Halloween gingerbread biscuits

Ingredients

  • 350g (12oz) plain flour
  • 3 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 100g (4oz) butter or margarine (solid)
  • 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar
  • 1 medium egg
  • 2 tablespoons golden syrup
  • Writing icing and silver balls or similar decorations

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 180°C / Gas mark 4.
  2. Using butter, margarine or vegetable oil grease the baking trays
  3. Sift the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl
  4. Cut the butter or margarine into chunks and add to the flour
    5. As Amelia says - "now is the time to get messy"
  5. Use your fingertips to rub the mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs
  6. Break the eggs into a separate bowl and beat with a fork
  7. Add the syrup to the eggs, mix well and then add to the flour mixture
  8. Mix together, first using a spoon, then your hands to form a smooth dough
  9. Take half the mixture and roll it out on a floured work surface
  10. Use appropriate biscuit cutters and place them on the baking tray
    11. If you don't have any Halloween cutters then you can use any others, such as plain shapes or gingerbread men (decorate as vampires or similar)
  11. Put the biscuits into the over for 12 - 15 minutes (9 to 10 if fan assisted)
  12. Remove from the oven and leave on the backing tray to cool for a few minutes
  13. Transfer the biscuits onto a wire rack and allow to cool
  14. Decorate using the writing icing and sliver balls for the eyes
    15. We used Barbie Fairytopia writing icing which had a glitter effect. You could use any writing icing or make your own from icing sugar and water.
  15. Enjoy / share with friends

Warnings

Adult assistance is required particularly when using the oven. An oven is hot! hot! hot!

More Arts and Crafts for Kids

For more information on things to do with babies and children see the watkissonline kids pages.