Ingredients:
4 tbsp corn syrup
2 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp baking soda
1 1⁄2 tsp ground ginger
1 1⁄2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened and diced
3⁄4 cup dark brown sugar
large egg
raisins, to decorate
confectioner’s sugar, sifted (optional)

Method:
1 Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat the corn syrup until it liquefies, then cool.

2 Sift the flour, baking soda, and spices into a large bowl. Add the butter.

3 Rub together with your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine bread crumbs.

4 Add the sugar to the bread crumbs mixture and mix well.

5 Beat the egg into the cooled syrup until well blended.

6 Make a well in the flour mixture. Pour in the syrup mix. Bring together to a rough dough.

7 On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough briefly until smooth.

8 Flour the dough and the work surface well, then roll the dough out to 1⁄4in (5mm) thick.

9 Using the cutter, cut out as many shapes as possible. Transfer to non-stick baking sheets.

10 Mix the scraps of dough, re-roll, and cut out more shapes, until all the dough is used.

11 Decorate the men with raisins, giving them eyes, a nose, and buttons down the front.

12 Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

13 If using, mix some confectioner’s sugar in a bowl with enough water to form a thin icing.

14 Transfer the icing into the piping bag; placing the bag into a glass first will help.

15 Decorate the men with the piped icing to resemble clothes, hair, or whatever you prefer.

16 Leave the icing to set completely before serving or storing. STORE These gingerbread men will keep in an airtight container for 3 days.

Gingerbread Men Recipe