Festive Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups wholemeal flour

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 170g butter, softened

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup golden syrup

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Icing to decorate (optional)

Method

1. Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and nutmeg in a large bowl and set aside.

2. In a separate large bowl, combine butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add golden syrup, egg and vanilla and mix to combine.

3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture on low speed until well combined to form a dough.

4. Press dough into a thick, flat disk. Wrap in clingwrap and refrigerate for 4 hours to allow the dough to firm.

5. Preheat oven to 180°C and line oven tray with baking paper.

6. Lightly flour a dry work surface and roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness.

7. Use festive shaped cookie cutters (stars, trees, gingerbread men, angels etc) to cut the dough into rough shapes.

8. Place cookies on the lined baking tray and bake in the oven for 8 – 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and beginning to brown.

9. Allow cookies to cool completely before icing if desired – enjoy!