Delia Smith Gingerbread Men Recipes

DAMP GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• First weigh out the syrup into a small saucepan, it helps to place the opened tin in a pan of barely simmering water for 5 minutes to make it easier to pour. Then weigh a saucepan on the scales, and weigh the syrup into it. Then add the butter to the saucepan and melt the two together over a gentle heat. Meanwhile measure the dry ingredients into a bowl, then gradually pour in the syrup mixture, mixing thoroughly. Now beat the egg and milk together in a separate basin then add that bit by bit, again mixing very thoroughly. The cake batter will seem very liquid at this stage but that's quite normal so don't worry, just pour it into the prepared tin and bake near the centre of the oven for about 50 minutes or until the centre is springy. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire tray to cool. When it's cold, cut it into squares and store in an airtight tin.

GINGERBREAD MEN

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and allspice into a medium bowl; set aside. Melt the butter and shortening in a medium saucepan; remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar and molasses. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
• Add the egg to the butter mixture; beat with a mixer on medium speed until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in two additions until just combined. Divide the dough in half; wrap each half in plastic wrap and pat into 1/2-inch-thick disks. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface, dusting with flour as needed. Cut out gingerbread men with a 3 1/2- to 5-inch cookie cutter and arrange 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush off the excess flour and refrigerate the cutouts 15 minutes.
• Bake the cookies until golden around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 3 to 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Decorate with royal icing and let harden at room temperature, about 1 hour.

GINGERBREAD MEN

Steps:

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