On the third day of Potter, my true love sent to me ....
Gingerbread Harry's!
photo editing by sweetpinkpixie Thing's you'll need:
melted butter or olive oil spray to grease
125g butter, at room temperature
100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
125ml (1/2 cup) golden syrup/ maple syrup
1 egg, separated
375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
1 tbs ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
plain flour, to dust
150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted
8-10 drops red liquid food colouring
8-10 drops yellow liquid food colouring
piping bag or plastic bags
thin ribbons
Method: [1] Using an electric beater, beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Then add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined.
[2] Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda.
[3] Turn out the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press the dough into a disc shape, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
[4] Meanwhile, place egg white in a clean, dry bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
[5] Divide the icing into two bowls. Add the food colouring to the bowls of icing mix and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
[6] Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 2 baking trays with melted butter, or spray lightly with oil.
[7] Roll out the dough until it's about 4mm thick. Use a 9cm gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes. Place on trays about 3cm apart. Repeat with any excess dough. Using a tooth pick make a small hole in the Gingerbread Harry's head just big enough to thread a thin ribbon through.
[8] Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.
[9] If you don't have a piping bag just place the prepared icing in small plastic bags. Cut a small hole in a corner of each bag and then pipe the icing onto the gingerbread Harry's to decorate.
Tricks of the Trade:
This gift has been made and tested by your little helper
Hera and she has a few tips and tricks you might be interested in.
[1] The dough is rather crumbly, but do not be discouraged. It works!
[2] Ease the Harry's out of the cutter gently so that his arms and legs don't snap off.
[3] Also be careful when transferring them to the baking tray.
[4] When piping the icing, it's best to test it a few times first, and don't worry too much if they don't look good, it's the taste that counts most. And they are YUMMY.
[5] Hang your Harry's on your tree, or simply stack him on a plate. Anything works!
CAUTION: Take care when using kitchen appliances. Parental supervision is recommended for children under 16 years of age. Or anyone who fails in the kitchen.