Gingerbread men have long been a favourite festive treat, and they’re actually quite simple to make. Here, a TikTok user has shared a delicious recipe that’s high on taste and low on effort
Nothing quite hits the spot like a warm slice of homemade gingerbread.
This baked delight offers a comforting mix of sweet and spicy flavours that just scream Christmas. Creating your own gingerbread men has always been a festive and fun activity that can really get the family into the holiday spirit.
So why not try baking your own? TikTok content creator @kimberleycooks has shared an incredibly simple recipe that’s big on flavour but requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 125g butter
- Half a cup of brown sugar
- Half a cup of golden syrup
- One egg
- Two and a half cups of plain flour
- One tsp bicarbonate of soda
- One tsp mixed spice
- One tbsp of ground ginger
- A gingerbread man cutter
- A cup of icing sugar
Method
Whisk the butter and brown sugar in a bowl until smooth. Add in half a cup of golden syrup and the egg yolk only, and mix together. Sieve in two and a half cups of plain flour and add one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, the teaspoon of mixed spice and tablespoon of ground ginger. Mix it all together.
Remove it from the bowl, wrap in clingfilm, and refrigerate for half an hour. Use a rolling pin to flatten the mix to your desired thickness. Then using a cutter, shape all the gingerbread men. Finally, bake in the oven at 180C for ten minutes.
Whip up the perfect icing by simply combining egg white with a cup of icing sugar, give it a good whisk, and then pipe it onto your gingerbread men for that final touch. Easy peasy!
History of the gingerbread man
“The popularity of gingerbread during the holidays can, at least in part, be attributed to the belief that spices heated you up in the winter,” explains Michael Krondl, the author behind ‘Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert’. But ever wondered where the tradition of crafting gingerbread men originated?
It’s a journey back to ancient times when Middle Eastern spice trade routes were crucial. Ginger, a spice treasured for its unique flavour and medicinal benefits, made its way into Europe via these routes, quickly becoming a staple in various confections.
The earliest known gingerbread men date back to 15th-century Germany, where bakers began to craft sweetened, spiced gingerbread dough into elaborate shapes, including animals and human figures. The custom of crafting gingerbread into men and women shapes gradually became linked with festive occasions. In the 16th century, it’s believed that Queen Elizabeth I of England ordered gingerbread men to be made in the likeness of her court’s distinguished guests.
This Royal endorsement helped boost the popularity of gingerbread as a symbol of celebration and joy. As time passed, the connection between gingerbread and holidays, especially Christmas, grew stronger.
By the 19th century, Gingerbread men had become a firm favourite during Christmas festivities, with families relishing the tradition of baking and decorating these delightful cookies. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, which featured a house made entirely of gingerbread, further enhanced the magical and festive aura surrounding this treat.
Today, gingerbread men remain a cherished part of holiday traditions across the globe. The enduring appeal of these spiced biscuits lies not only in their tasty flavour but also in the cultural and historical significance they hold, making them a treasured treat that links the past with the present.
