It’s become an annual tradition for the Mini Sloans to make their own advent calendar out of envelopes, which I fill with a ‘Christmas Challenge’ for each day. It’s wonderful to see them making happy memories that are more than just about receiving gifts. This weekends challenge was to do some Christmas baking, which was in part an excuse for me to bake too!
These delicious cut-out gingerbread biscuits are fun to make, and the off cuts re-roll well – an important factor to consider when baking with children!
INGREDIENTS
100g (4oz) margarine
200g (8oz) soft dark brown sugar
6 tbsp golden syrup
600g (1lb 4oz) self raising flour
pinch of salt
3 tsp ground ginger
3 tsp ground mixed spice
5 tbsp milk
METHOD
Prepare three large baking sheets by cutting greaseproof paper to fit.
Preheat your oven to 160c, 325f, Gas 3.
Add the margarine, sugar and golden syrup into a saucepan. Put on a low heat, and stir frequently until the margarine has melted and the sugar has dissolved, but don’t let it simmer or boil!
Sieve the flour and spices into a bowl and add the salt. Make a well in the centre, and pour in the melted mixture. Stir well.
Add the milk (you may not need all of this) and mix in until a stiff dough has formed. Gently knead with your hands to help bring the mixture together.
Take a third of the mixture and roll out onto a lightly floured surface until 5mm thick.
Cut out your biscuits with your Christmas shaped cookie cutters, then place onto the baking trays, making sure to leave a little space between each. Off cuts can be kneaded together and re-rolled.
Bake for 10-15minutes, until starting to turn a little brown at the edges. Take out of the oven and carefully transfer to cooling racks using a palette knife.
When cool, let your imagination run wild with the decoration – I use royal icing to decorate as it dries hard and won’t make the biscuits soften. Of course, you could leave the biscuits plain, but where would be the fun in that!?
Mrs Sloan Queen of Scones 
Oh I love these! Definitely going to make a batch!
Thank you! Have fun!!