Festive gingerbread cookies

It's this time of the year again!! What better way to start the culinary festive season than with home made gingerbread cookies? There are delicious, easy to make and kids love decorating them. Gingerbread cookies look pretty on the Christmas tree or would make a perfect gift.

This recipe is very simple and will fill your kitchen with a wonderful smell of Christmas happiness.

Prep time 10-15 mins, baking 8-10 mins

Here's what you need:
350g of plain flour
1tsp of baking soda
1tsp of ground ginger
1tsp of cinnamon 125g of butter
1 egg
175g of soft brown sugar or coconut sugar
4tbsp of golden syrup or if you want a healthier option use date syrup or maple syrup
toppings to decorate - raisins, nuts, chocolate buttons, pumpkin seeds... the choice is yours.

Here's how to do it:
In a large bowl mix flour, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon then add butter. When adding butter cut it in small cubes and mix with the flour to create a breadcrumb texture - the best way would be to mix by hand.
Add sugar. In a separate bowl whisk the egg with the date/golden syrup then add to the flour mix. Combine all, shaping a large sticky ball. Then place the dough in the fridge for around 10-15 mins.
Preheat the over to 160 degrees and prepare a large baking tray with baking paper on top.
Get the dough out of the fridge and on a large flat surface sprinkle a bit of flour and start rolling out the mixture, but using a bit at a time. When rolling out the dough you want it to be around 5 mm thickness. Using cookie cutters, start cutting out shapes, then decorate. If you're planning on hanging the gingerbread cookies on your tree, make a hole before baking, using a straw works great!
Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for around 8-10 mins.

Take the gingerbread cookies out of the oven and cool on the cooling rack then repeat with the rest of the dough. They will keep fresh for around 10 days in an air tight container. Enjoy.