Ginger bread men with a kick

A Christmas Favorite, and all those extra spices really make the difference and they make the house smell amazing.

SPICY GINGER BREAD MEN (makes 10)
100g butter
100g caster sugar
125ml treacle (you can also use golden syrup if you want to make a milder biscuit)
1 egg yolk
250g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 ground cinnamon
1/2 nutmeg
whole teaspoon ground cloves
whole teaspoon ginger


Cream butter and sugar together until smooth, stir in the treacle and then the egg yolk, combine your dry ingredients and then blend into the wet mixture. You will end up with a lump of  dough rap this in cling film and stick it in the fridge for about an hour, this gives the dough time to firm up and you time for a cup of tea and a  chance to clean the kitchen, you'll need the space to roll it out.

Roll out the dough (you will find it easier if the surface is covered in flour) and using a cookie cutter make the shapes you desire. i would recommend using baking trays covered in baking paper but you can just grease them, cook for 8-10 minuets at 180 or gas mark 4

The fun is in the finishing touches and decorating gingerbread men can be as simple or silly as you like, icing,sweets, chocolate or even fruit make you little men smile.