Gingerbread Men

Fun and easy to make, and, the kids will love them! Thank you Taste.com

 Melted butter, to grease
125g butter, at room temperature
100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
125ml (1/2 cup) golden syrup
1 egg, separated
375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
1 tbs ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Plain flour, to dust
150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted
8-10 drops red liquid food colouring
8-10 drops green liquid food colouring
Smarties, to decorate.

• Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter to lightly grease.
• Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. 
• Add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined.
• Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. 
• Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. 
• Press dough into a disc.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
• Meanwhile, place egg white in a clean, dry bowl. 
• Use an electric beater to beat until soft peaks form. 
• Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. 
• Divide icing among 3 bowls. 
• Cover 1 bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
• Add red colouring to 1 bowl and stir until combined. 
• Add green colouring to remaining bowl and stir until combined. 
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
• Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. 
• Use a 9cm gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes. 
• Place on trays about 3cm apart. 
• Repeat with any excess dough.
• Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. 
• Remove from oven. 
• Transfer to a rack to cool.
• Place prepared icings in small plastic bags. 
• Cut a small hole in a corner of each bag.
•  Pipe icing over gingerbread men to decorate. 
• Finish with Smarties.