Gingerbread men

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/350f/gas mark 4.

2. Mix together the flour, spices, bicarbonate of soda and soft brown sugar in a large bowl, then add the butter, cut into knobs, and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

3. Whisk together the egg and syrup and add to the dry ingredients, then knead until it forms a dough. You may need to add a very little milk, but the dough should not be wet or sticky.

4. Flour a work surface well and roll out the dough 5mm (1/4in) thick. Choose some gingerbread men cutters - mine are about 7.5cm (3in) long - and use to cut the dough.

5. Evenly space the gingerbread shapes on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, carefully transfer to a wire rack with a palette knife and allow to cool completely.

6. Mix a little icing sugar with cold water to make a fairly thick paste that will coat the back of a spoon. Dip the back of the chocolate chips in the icing sugar and fix to the gingerbread men. Making two eyes and three buttons. Set aside for the icing sugar to set completely.