Gingerbread Men

With the children still being off school, I am rapidly running out of ideas to keep myself sane. Well, today we made gingerbread men. I love making these as they remind me so much of when my boys were really small. They both loved 'ginger men' and can still polish a tin full off in record time. the recipe I use is so simple but for me it produces the perfect taste and texture. If you like yours a bit chewier just add a bit more syrup.

350g / 12oz plain flour

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1 teaspoon of ground ginger

100g / 4oz butter or hard (block) marg

175g / 6oz light soft brown sugar

1 medium egg

4 tablespoons of golden syrup

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4

1) Put the flour, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda in a mixing bowl.

2) Rub in the butter.

3) Add sugar, syrup and egg and mix until it forms a firm dough.

4) Roll out to about 5mm thick.

5) Cut into desired shapes.

6) Bake for 10 to 15 Minutes.

7) Leave to cool on a wire rack.

8) When cool, decorate as desired.

Macaroons

I've been meaning to have a go at baking macaroons for ages now and after being inspired by last nights 'Great British Bake Off' I was really in the mood for having a go today. My husband is not really 'into' fruit flavoured things (far too healthy), so I thought I would try my hand at some chocolate mint flavoured ones. I had a good look round for a nice easy recipe and found a great one on a blog called 'The Pink Whisk' which is written by Ruth from last years GBBO. 

I followed Ruth's instructions to the letter and am delighted how they turned out.
I coloured them green and filled them with a rich dark chocolate and mint ganache.