Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180C and line two baking trays with baking paper.

• Heat the butter and golden syrup in a saucepan until melted, remove from the heat and leave to cool for a minute or two.

• Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices into a large mixing bowl and stir in the sugar.

• Add the butter mixture and mix into a thick dough. Roll the dough into a ball, cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for half an hour.

• Remove the dough from the fridge, lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and roll out the dough around half a centimetre thick.

• Use Christmas shaped biscuit cutters to cut out festive shapes and place them on to a baking tray with at least a centimetre between each biscuit.

• Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Leave to cool completely before icing.