Gingerbread Men Recipe from The Pooh Cook Book. Recipes by Katie Stewart inspired by Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne published by Methuen Children’s Books in 1971
Listed under Smackerels, Elevenses and Teas, I first came across this recipe when perusing my parents’ bookcase about 16 years ago. Encased in a yellow hardback cover, ‘The Pooh Cook Book’ caught my eye and I pulled it from the shelf. Flicking through, I found instructions and ingredients for ‘Gingerbread Men’.
Makes 12
8 oz (or 8 rounded tablespoons) plain flour
1 level teaspoon baking powder
2 level teaspoons ground ginger
1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 oz butter of margarine
2 oz (or 2 rounded tablespoons) soft brown sugar
2 heaped tablespoons golden syrup
few currants for decoration
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or Gas mark 4
Grease a baking tray.
Sift together into a medium sized mixing bowl the flour, baking powder, ground ginger and cinnamon.
Melt the butter or margarine, brown sugar and golden syrup together in a saucepan over a low heat. Stir occasionally until the ingredients have melted and the mixture is runny but not too hot.
Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and combine to make a soft dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead it lightly until smooth. It should be soft and easy to mould. Allow it to sit for a few moments to firm up if it is too soft.
Either divide the dough into portions and shape into figure or use a gingerbread man cutter to make your biscuits before arranging on a tray.
Add currants or other decorations for eyes, nose mouth and buttons.
Bake in the centre of the oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown then allow to cool on a wire rack.
This was the recipe that inspired my love of baking, and I think most people associate gingerbread men with childhood, whether it’s seasonal associations or just reminiscing about the past. There’s something about the cute little figures with their little currant eyes that just brings that glow of childhood back, and pulling a freshly baked batch of delicious warm biscuits from the oven can bring a smile to any face. I can honestly say that had I not discovered The Pooh Cook Book and begun baking little gingerbread characters when I was about 10 or 11, Yum Crumbs may never have been born!
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