Ingredients

• 1 lb plain flour, sifted
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 level teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 2 level teaspoons ground ginger
• ¾ level teaspoon cinnamon
• 8 oz soft brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons black treacle
• 1 tablespoon golden syrup
• 4 oz butter
• 2 or 3 tablespoons milk
• few currants, for eyes
•   glacé icing, optional, for decoration

Method

1. Grease several baking sheets.
2. Sift flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger and cinnamon into a bowl.
3. Melt sugar, black treacle, syrup and butter in a saucepan and stir into the flour mixture, adding enough milk to mix to a firm dough.
4. Chill the dough for half an hour.
5. Roll out on a floured board to ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes using a gingerbread man cutter.
6. Place two currants on each to make eyes.
7. Bake in a moderate oven (325°F — Gas Mark 3) for 15 minutes. Lift from the tray as they cool.
8. Decorate with a little piped glacé icing if desired.

Notes