Friday, February 22, 2013

Recipe: Gingerbread Man + Hello Kitty Biscuits

Before Christmas last year, we made many batches of these gingerbread biscuits to give away to friends. Gingerbread biscuits is type of biscuit made from ginger and cinnamon, and is typically associated with Christmas. Depending on how long you bake it and how thin you roll it out, these biscuits can either be soft and moist or crunchy. Either way, it is very nice.

Making these gingerbread biscuits with the kids was very fun. I prepared the dough and then refrigerated it, and after dinner we all sat around the dinner table with lots of different cookie cutters and set off to work. The dough was easy to handle, but because of the hot climate, it got a little sticky towards the end. The kids enjoyed drawing faces and decorating their gingerbread men. We also bought a Hello Kitty cutter, which we used for the first time. It's slightly more tricky using the Hello Kitty cutter as a little more precision is required (ie how thick to roll out the dough as it affects the "legs" of the Hello Kitty and helps it stand). We were very happy with how the biscuits turned out. A beautiful assortment of different shapes!


Hello Kitty Gingerbread Biscuit


I like my Santa plate! :)
  
Concentrating - Baby C did a very good job!

The first batch we made was slightly thicker, hence they were softer when baked. Personally I prefer them soft, I guess that's why I like lebkuchen (German gingerbread) so much. Our friends were happy to receive these as a gift, especially when they learnt that these were made by both Baby C and Baby D.  This recipe is definitely a keeper, and we will be making more gingerbread biscuits when Christmas approaches this year.



Happy bakers! 


Gingerbread Biscuits
Recipe adapted from James Martin - The Collection
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 - 12 minutes
Makes about 20

Ingredients
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 heaped tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup golden syrup (or dark corn syrup)
1 tbsp evaporated milk (I omitted this)

1. In a saucepan over medium low heat, heat the butter, sugar and syrup together until dissolved and allow to cool.

2. Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and spices together into a bowl. Once the syrup mixture has cooled, mix into the dry ingredients with the evaporated milk (if using) to make a dough. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 375F/190C and grease two baking sheets. Roll out the cookie dough to about 1/4 inch (5mm) thick and cut into desired shapes (gingerbread man / Hello Kitty / heart).


4. Place on the baking sheets, allowing a little space to spread, and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly for 10 minutes on the baking tray. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.





*This recipe was featured on Asian Food Channel's Facebook page on 26 February 2013.

27 comments:

  1. Looks good and tastes even better :P

    ReplyDelete
  2. hello kitty! very cute, i've never seen cat cookies before, heheh :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha I just have to buy these cute cookie cutters when I see them!

      Delete
  3. did gingerbread men fr xmas last year too! it was really fun (although super tiring to ice each and every one of it) cute hello kitty cutter! should hunt for them and your children are as always super adorableee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were too lazy to ice them... just eat them as they were, yummy!

      Delete
  4. That's nice, Yen! Standing Hello Kitty cookie... My kids would love to have them on any occasions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hubby spotted it in the baking shop, it can also be used on toast.. pretty cool! My daughter loves it.

      Delete
  5. Christmas out of season? My missus loves ginger biscuits...but not my favourite, I'm afraid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not much ginger in these, so you may like them.

      Delete
  6. I've eyed on your Hello Kitty cookie. Love her pair of "legs" loh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it too! Fell in love with the cutter when I saw it.

      Delete
  7. The cookies and your 2 heartbreaker are so adorable :D Will try to make gingerbread man this Christmas .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah we will definitely be making it again this Christmas too.

      Delete
  8. What a cute Hello Kitty cutter! And they are so concentrating, it's adorable :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nice to get the kids involved in the kitchen... fun for both mummy and kids.

      Delete
  9. aahhh....very pretty. I like the Hello Kitty one! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Melissa! I think all girls will like it.

      Delete
  10. I loved the hello kitty. so eye catchy. yummy cookies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Hello Kitty ones were a little more challenging to get right, but was very happy they turned out nice!

      Delete
  11. The Hello Kitty one is so cute, can stand somemore. hehe
    Oh the Santa plate is nice too, want to get one of that. :P

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh so cute! Love the cookie cutters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mich. Always on the lookout for cute ones.

      Delete
  13. Who can resist a soft biscuit in the shape of a little person?! You're right, soft is always better. I used to make these as a kid too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isnt it great having childhood memories of making gingerbread biscuits with your mum? :D

      Delete
  14. not a fan of it but would still enjoy it! yours are soooo cute!! wouldn't have the heart to eat the Kitty one... :D

    ReplyDelete

Please drop any comments or questions you may have here. Thank you so much for reading!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...