Gingerbread men recipe by Annabel Karmel

Pre heat the oven to 160 C fan. Line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper

Measure the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Whisk until light and fluffy using an electric hand whisk. Add the syrup and egg and whisk again. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until the mixture comes together.

Lightly knead into a dough and wrap in cling film. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour until firm.

Flour a work surface. Roll out the dough. Stamp out men using a gingerbread cutter.

Place on the baking sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden and just firm in the middle. Leave to cool.

To make white icing, whisk the icing sugar and water together in a bowl using a hand held electric whisk until smooth. Spoon the icing into a piping bag with a small hole and pipe designs on the gingerbread men.  Alternatively you could use writing icing pens to decorate the cookies.