This Christmas message is rubbish

- 125g butter, softened

- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

- 1/2 cup (125ml) golden syrup

- 1 egg yolk

- 2 1/2 cups (375g) plain flour

- 1 tablespoon ground ginger

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

- Smarties or M&M's, to decorate

- 1 eggwhite, lightly whisked

- 2 cups (320g) pure icing sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line two oven trays with baking paper. Beat the butter, sugar and golden syrup together in a medium bowl until pale and creamy. Add the egg yolk and beat until just combined. Add the flour, ginger, cinnamon and cloves and stir with a wooden spoon until almost combined. Use your hands to knead until smooth.

Divide the dough into 2 portions. Roll a portion out on a lightly floured surface to a 5mm-thick disc. Use a gingerbread man pastry cutter to cut out shapes and place them on the lined tray. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Repeat with remaining dough, rolling and re-rolling any gingerbread dough scraps.

To make the royal icing, place the eggwhite in a small bowl and gradually add the icing sugar, stirring between each addition, until a smooth paste forms. Spoon the icing into your piping bag. Pipe icing onto each gingerbread figure and decorate with Smarties, if desired. Set aside for 30 minutes for the icing to set.