A great tea-time treat, or for packed lunches, picnic or munching with a cup of tea or coffee. These easy biscuits can also be cut into complicated shapes such as gingerbread me or stars, hearts, trees and so on for holidays throughout the year. It is very good natured dough which puts up with endless re-rolling and cutting out so is excellent for children to work with. In medieval times the cloves or other decorations would have been gilded especially for fair days and feast days. We think they are too yummy to be left for special occasions and should be eaten at all times of the year!
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons golden syrup,
1 tablespoon black syrup,
75g (3oz) caster sugar,
1 tablespoon water,
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice,
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg,
1 ½ ground ginger,
Grated rind of one orange,
75g (3oz) butter,
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda,
2 teaspoons orange juice,
225g (8oz) plain flour
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- Preheat oven to 180oC (350oF), Gas Mark 4.
- Gently melt the syrups, sugar, water and spices together in a large saucepan.
- Add the grated rind to the mix and bring to the boil stirring well.
- Remove from the heat and add the butter, bicarbonate of soda and orange juice.
- Add enough sifted flour to produce a stiffish dough.
- Turn the dough out of the saucepan and leave on a board to cool.
- When completely cool, roll out the dough to about 3mm (⅛ inch) thick on a large board and cut into shapes with a knife or cutters.
- Decorate with a pistachio nut, clove or almond if you wish.
- Bake on a greased tray for about 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven, leave for a few minutes and then transfer to a rack to cool.
Tip: Store in an air-tight container to stay fresh, if you can resist not eating them all whilst still warm!! Delicious! |
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