Ninja bread men for kids (or Gingerbread men)

My mother is my inspiration in life in general.  Incredibly intelligent she didn’t have the breaks in life nor the education.  At the time giving a woman an education was seen as a waste of time and money.  How much we have moved on.  I was lucky enough to have all the opportunities she didn’t and she encouraged and supported me through everything in life, every bump, every triumph, every disaster and here I am with two degrees a Dr of Chemistry and she still is far my superior.

It’s funny how we learn how to love and be loved first from our parents.  My Mum shows people she loves them through food and I have inherited this from her.  This was the first ever recipe I made with my son and I remember making it with my Mum when I was little.  I also handily got some cool “Ninja” bread man cutters from an online shop which I loved and so did my son but he made some hearts for me too.

This does make a very traditional, crisp gingerbread man with a strong ginger flavour which is how I had them when I was little.  If you prefer them a little softer, take them out a little earlier or it might be an idea to substitute the flour for self raising (they will spread though).  If you like a milder flavour, cut down on the ginger a little.

(Ninja) Ginger Bread Men – Makes lots

Ingredients

60g, 2oz Butter or margarine

60g, 2oz Caster sugar (regular sugar or granulated sugar is fine, just gives a grainier texture)

1 tbsp Black treacle – sorry US readers, I don’t think there is any direct replacement but molasses is probably closest

115g, 4oz Plain (all purpose) flour

1 tbsp Ground Ginger (Powdered Ginger)

Pinch mixed spice (pumpkin pie spice)

Little milk to mix, use soy milk if liked

Method

Preheat the oven to 180oC, 350F, Gas Mark 4.  

Cream the butter and sugar, add the treacle then mix in the dry ingredients.  Add in enough milk to make to a stiff paste (you might not need it.)  Roll out thinly, using flour to dust and cut out whatever shapes you like, hearts, ninjas...

Bake for around 10 minutes, cool on a wire rack and decorate!  I've linked this to Simple Living's linky.