Gingerbread Footballers

Ingredients

• 75g (3oz) dark brown sugar, sieved
• 3 tbsp golden syrup
• 1 level tbsp cinnamon or ground mixed spice
• 1 level tbsp ginger
• 95g (3½oz) butter or margarine
• ½ level tsp Dr. Oetker Bicarbonate of Soda
• 225g (8oz) plain flour

To decorate

• Dr. Oetker Writing Icing or Designer Icing

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4 and lightly grease a baking tray.
2. Put sugar, syrup, 1 tbsp water and spices together in a large saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring all the time.
3. Remove saucepan from the heat and cut butter (or margarine) into pieces.  Add butter (or margarine) to the saucepan along with the Bicarbonate of Soda.
4. Gradually mix in the flour until you have a smooth dough.  Add a little more flour if needed.  Set aside in a cool place and leave for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough to approx. 3mm (1/8 inch) thick on a lightly floured surface and, using a cutter, cut out the Gingerbread Footballers and place on the baking tray.
6. Bake in the oven for 10 – 15 minutes or until biscuits are firm and golden.
7. Leave to cool on a wire rack and then decorate using Writing Icing or Designer Icing depending on your team colours. 

Makes: 12