I was recently inspired to make some gingerbread men and we had heaps of fun yesterday decorating them and eating them. I decided to get the kids to decorate theirs before they were cooked, as I think at the moment I can only handle a certain amount of sugar-hype around the house... the less the better. A great idea for the holidays!

It's funny how the head always seems to be the first part to be eaten... poor little guy. Symon also had fun making his own... guess which one it is...

I used the recipe in my "Granny's Biscuits, New Zealand Favourites" cook book. Nice and spicy!

Gingerbread People

1 2/3 cups self-raising flour

1/2 cup soft brown sugar (use dark sugar if available)

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon mixed spice

125g butter

3 tablespoons milk

pinch of salt

currants or chocolate to decorate

Sift dry ingredients into a bowl. Rub butter into flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix into dough with milk. Roll dough out on a floured board to 6 mm thick. Cut out people shapes and place on a baking tray. Bake at 200 degC for 15 mins. When the biscuits are cold decorate with icing.