Gingerbread Men

Directions

1. 1
   Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4/350°F/180°C.
2. 2
   You will need 2 lightly greased baking sheets.
3. 3
   In a large saucepan, put in the brown sugar, golden syrup, treacle, all the spices and orange rind with 1 tablespoon of water.
4. 4
   Bring them to boiling point, stirring all the time.
5. 5
   Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter cut into cubes, and the bicarbonate of soda.
6. 6
   Next stir in the flour gradually until you have a smooth manageable dough - add a little more flour, if you think it needs it.
7. 7
   Leave the dough covered, in a cool place to become firm, approximately 30 minutes.
8. 8
   Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick and cut out the gingerbread men.
9. 9
   Arrange them on the lightly greased baking sheets.
10. 10
    Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the biscuits feel firm when lightly pressed with a fingertip.
11. 11
    Leave the biscuits to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
12. 12
    Once cool, store in an airtight container.