How to make gingerbread men this Christmas, what’s the recipe and can you get a vegan gingerbread man?

THEY ARE a favourite festive treat you can buy from most bakeries and supermarkets.

But, if you fancy baking your own, here a few tips and tricks when it comes to making your own gingerbread men.

How to make gingerbread men

Gingerbread men are relatively quick and easy to make - and fun to decorate.

Prep can take between 30 minutes to an hour - while baking time is typically between just 12 and 15 minutes.

According to the, you will need:

350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
125g/4½oz butter
175g/6oz light soft brown sugar
1 free-range egg
4 tbsp golden syrup
To decorate
writing icing
cake decorations

Method

Firstly, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon.

Pour the mixture into a food processor and blend until the texture looks like breadcrumbs.

Stir in the sugar.

In a separate bowl, lightly beat together the egg and golden syrup before adding to the food processor.

Pulse the mixture until it clumps together into a dough.

Tip the dough out and knead until smooth

Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 180C/Gas 4 and line two baking trays with grease-proof paper.

Roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface and aim for it to be o.5cm thick.

You can then use cutters to cut put your gingerbread men, before placing them on the tray with gaps between them.

Bake your biscuits for between 12 and 15 minutes - or until lightly golden brown.

Leave to cool on tray for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Once cool, decorate with your choice of icing and decorations.

Can you make vegan gingerbread men?

Those who don't eat animal products can still enjoy a gingerbread treat this Christmas!

Simply switch the butter for coconut oil, egg for 1tbsp chia seeds and use chickpea water in your royal icing.