Makes 16
12 oz Plain flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp Ground ginger
4 oz Butter, diced
6 oz Soft light brown sugar
4 tbsp Golden syrup
1 Egg, beaten
Currants - to decorate
Pre-heat oven to 375 °F
Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ginger into a mixing bowl.
Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar.
Beat the syrup into the egg, then stir into the flour mixture.
Mix together to make a smooth dough.
Knead the dough until smooth, then divide in half.
Roll out, half at a time, on a floured surface until about ¼ inch thick.
Using a gingerbread man cutter, cut out gingerbread men until all the dough has been used up,
re-rolling and cutting the trimmings.
Repeat with the second half of the dough.
Place the gingerbread men on greased baking sheets and decorate with currants to represent eyes and buttons.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Leave on the baking sheets to cool slightly, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container.