Gingerbread Reindeer
The best baking hacks are the easiest, for this one all you have to do is flip the cookie upside down! Easily turn a gingerbread man into a reindeer with no extra equipment.
KEY DETAILS
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 12 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours
Special Equipment: gingerbread man cookie cutter, rolling pin and electric stand or hand mixer
INGREDIENTS
180g softened, butter
170g dark brown sugar
100g golden syrup
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
350g plain flour
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
round red sweets
chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl using a stand or hand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and treacle until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, spices, baking soda, and salt until combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until dough just comes together. (Do not overmix!) If the dough seems sticky or wet, add small bits of flour until it is smooth and just dry enough to handle.
Divide dough in half and create two discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 to 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 180°C and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface and roll until 1/4" thick. Cut out gingerbread men with a 3" wide cutter and transfer to baking sheets.
Bake 5 minutes, then turn the baking sheet and add 4 minutes. Remove when slightly puffed and set, should be 9-10 minutes for medium cookie cutters. (reduce the time for smaller cutters). Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Repeat with remaining disc of dough.
To create your reindeer, simply flip your gingerbread men upside down and use royal icing to turn the legs into antlers and the body into the reindeer's face.
TOP TIPS
Make sure your icing is fluid enough to make smooth lines for your reindeer.
Make a mix of gingerbread men and reindeer to mix up your bake!
