Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Gingerbread Men


Yesterday I was feeling rather sorry for myself with a poxy migraine. Lloyd had gone out to meet some friends at a cafe we go to all the time ~ plug! Cafe Cinema in Kerikeri ~  and when he came home he gave me a lovely gingerbread man Therese had given him for me. It totally cheered me up! Isn't he lovely!
So I was inspired to make some. I've never made them before and I realise that they are pretty simple and people make them with children, but I got myself in a right mess.
I made the dough perfectly, then cut out lots of wee guys and put them in the oven. Then I remembered that I hadn't taken a photo of them all out on the baking tray so grabbed them out. Unfortunately in the 30 seconds they'd been in the oven the tray had heated up to about the temperature of molten magma so I dropped it - gingerbread men and all - they landed all wrapped up in the baking paper in a big sweating blob. I had to remould the dough and it's presently back in the fridge to see if it'll chill.

However I did get the first batch out - after burning myself on the arm.

Anyway, here's the recipe...

Ingredients

  • 2-2 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 Tbsp Ground Ginger( I didn't think this was very gingery so am going to double it next time)
  • 1 cup (220g) firmly packed  Soft Brown Sugar or  Dark Cane Sugar
  • 150g butter
  • 1 egg, beaten   
  •  

Method


1. Sift flour, baking soda and ginger together and place in a bowl or food processor. Add  Soft Brown Sugar  or Cane Sugar.
2. Add butter and rub in with fingertips or pulse in food processor until resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add egg and stir or pulse to mix. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour to the mix and wrap in cling wrap. Refrigerate for half an hour.


3. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
4. Roll out on lightly floured surface or between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. ( I made mine too thick)  Using cookie cutters, cut shapes and place on tray. Form leftover dough into a ball and re-roll and repeat cutting out until all the dough is used up.




5. Bake gingerbread men for 8-10 minutes or until cooked and golden. Remove from oven and cool on baking rack.

Once they've cooled ( and you've smothered your many burns in lavender oil) you can decorate them however you want. I've gone for the more traditional method.




Next I think I'll do some Christmas trees and angels. 
 
Now, tomorrow I have a guest poster...... he's pretty brill....

6 comments:

  1. Brilliant, Marcella just saw these over my shoulder and squealed in delight that she wants to make some...so I will use your recipe this year and not cheat and buy the packet from the supermarket!
    Damn migraines.... hope you are feeling better today.x

    ReplyDelete
  2. They look pretty cute, bet they taste great.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That was sweet of Lloyd.I hope you are feeling better and thankyou for the idea or should I say push to make them with the boys tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hope the damn head is feeling better and the burn has been soothed with some aloe vera and loving! Looking forward to tomorrow....

    ReplyDelete
  5. They look lovely!

    There's something very cheery uppy about gingerbread men isn't there....I think they bring out the child in us.

    Sue xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous4:26 pm

    They are so cute. I made gingerbread this weekend - my kids were very happy.

    ReplyDelete

I love it when you leave me comments, it lets me know there are folk out there reading my ramblings! Thank you, I appreciate them loads and loads
Laura x