holidays

We are one week through the school holidays already, and have done very little... the girls have enjoyed the slow time, walking to the beach, playing at the park, catching up with friends and lots of arts, and crafts, and baking!

I had a few 'big' girls in the house today and they decided to make Gingerbread men... it was lots of fun all round. My girls are not normally big Gingerbread fans, but this recipe is a great one, and is sure to please!

Gingerbread Men

2 cups plain flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp ground ginger
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar (we used soft brown sugar and it was fine!)
150g butter
1 egg, beaten

Icing sugar, raisins, pebbles etc to decorate

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Line 2 trays with baking paper
2. Sift flour, baking soda, mixed spice and ginger together in large bowl. Add brown sugar.
3. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until it resembles find breadcrumbs. Add egg and mix to firm dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour to the mix (or if too dry you can add a little water). Roll into ball, wrap in gladwrap and pop in the fridge for half an hour (my girls were in a hurry so we actually popped it in the freezer for a bit!)
4. Roll out onto lightly floured surface until about 5mm thick. Using cookie cutters, cut shapes, place on trays and bake for 8-10 mins.
5. Make icing by added 1 1/2 tsp water to the icing sugar. Drop a small amount under each spot where you wish to place pebbles/raisins.

* We actually used some fancy icing writing pens that the girls spotted at the supermarket and wanted to try out!
** You can freeze half the mixture and use another day....