Gingerbread Recipes for Samhain

For a dark, rich traditional version (simpler, sweeter recipe below)

Ingredients:

• 450g (1lb) plain flour

• 1 dessert spoon ground ginger

• 0.5 dessert spoon cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• 125g (4oz) butter

• 4 tablespoons black treacle

• 225g (8oz) soft brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 1 tablespoon milk

• Icing and decorations (optional)

Method:

1. Sift the flour with the spices and salt into a large mixing bowl.

2. Warm the butter, teacle and sugar in a pan on a low heat until the sugar dissolves and the butter/treacle melts, stirring continuously. Leave to cool a little then stir into the flour mixture.

3. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in milk and add this to the mixture to make a pastry-like dough (you may need to add a little more milk).

4. Wrap in clingfilm and chill in the refrigerator for 40 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 170°c / 325°F / gas mark 3 and line a tray with baking paper.

6. Roll out your gingerbread dough on a floured board and cut out shapes.

7. Bake for about 15 minutes or until evenly browned, then leave to cool.

8. Decorate if desired, then enjoy!

For a sweeter, simpler version which makes around 25 biscuits

Ingredients:

• 350g (12oz) plain flour

• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger

• 100g (4oz) butter

• 175g (6oz) muscovado sugar

• 1 medium egg

• 2 tablespoons golden syrup

• Icing and decorations (optional)

Method:

1. Heat the oven up to 180°c / 350°F / gas mark 4. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

2. Use a sieve to sift the flour into a bowl.

3. Sift the bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger into the bowl.

4. Cut the butter into chunks and rub/stir it into the flour.

5. Break the egg into the bowl and beat it with a fork. Add the syrup and beat it, then add this mixture to the flour box and mix it in.

6. Squeeze the mixture into a smooth dough.

7. Roll the dough out onto a surface sprinkled with flour to prevent it from sticking.

8. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the dough, then put them onto the baking tray.

9. Bake them in the oven for 12-15 minutes, then leave to cool for.

10. Decorate if desired, then enjoy!