Mary Berry Gingerbread Men Recipe

Fun to make and even more fun to decorate, this Mary Berry Gingerbread Men Recipe is a timeless classic perfect for festive baking, family activities, or gifting. With warm spices, golden syrup, and a slightly crisp yet chewy texture, these gingerbread men are simple to prepare and full of flavor. Whether you’re baking for Christmas or creating edible crafts with kids, Mary Berry’s trusted method ensures perfect results every time.

What are Mary Berry Gingerbread Men?

The Mary Berry Gingerbread Men are spiced biscuits shaped into gingerbread characters, made with a mixture of golden syrup, brown sugar, plain flour, butter, and classic warming spices like ginger and cinnamon. Baked until golden and then decorated with icing or sweets, these cookies are festive, aromatic, and great for both eating and crafting.

Other Mary Berry Popular Recipes

• Mary Berry Petit Fours
• Mary Berry ANZAC Biscuits
• Mary Berry Rainbow Cake
• Mary Berry Coconut Biscuits

Why You Should Try This Recipe

• Easy to make and shape – Perfect for all skill levels.
• Great for holiday baking – A must-have during the Christmas season.
• Kid-friendly activity – Fun to cut, bake, and decorate.
• Deliciously spiced – Full of ginger and cinnamon flavor.
• Make-ahead friendly – Dough can be chilled or frozen.
• Ideal for gifting – Stays fresh and travels well.

Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

These pantry-friendly ingredients come together into a soft, rollable dough:

• Plain flour – 350g (about 2¾ cups): The base of the biscuit.
• Bicarbonate of soda – 1 teaspoon: Helps create a slightly puffed texture.
• Ground ginger – 2 teaspoons: Warm and aromatic.
• Ground cinnamon – 1 teaspoon: Adds extra spice depth.
• Butter – 100g (cold and cubed): Rubbed into the flour for a short biscuit texture.
• Light brown sugar – 175g (¾ cup): Adds sweetness and a slight chew.
• Golden syrup – 4 tablespoons: Brings in moisture and a classic gingerbread flavor.
• Egg – 1 medium, beaten: Binds the dough together.

Optional for decorating:

• Icing sugar and water (for piping): To outline and decorate the gingerbread men.
• Smarties, sprinkles, or small sweets: For buttons and eyes.

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Sieve
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Rolling pin
• Gingerbread men cutters
• Baking tray with parchment paper
• Wire rack for cooling
• Icing bag or piping bottle (optional)

Instructions to Make Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Mix

• Sift together dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, and cinnamon.
• Rub in the butter: Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
• Stir in brown sugar: Mix until evenly distributed.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough

• Add golden syrup and beaten egg: Mix with a spoon or hands until a smooth dough forms.
• Wrap and chill: Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Shapes

• Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F.
• Line baking trays with parchment paper.
• Roll dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 5mm (¼ inch) thick.
• Cut shapes: Use a gingerbread man cutter to cut out shapes and place on the trays, spaced apart.

Step 4: Bake the Biscuits

• Bake for 10–12 minutes: Until lightly golden and firm around the edges.
• Cool on trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 5: Decorate (Optional)

• Mix icing sugar with a little water: Pipe outlines, faces, and buttons.
• Stick on sweets: Use icing as glue to attach decorations.

What Goes Well With Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

• Hot chocolate – Classic pairing, especially around Christmas.
• Warm apple cider – Complements the spices perfectly.
• Vanilla ice cream – Crumble over for a dessert treat.
• Holiday gift baskets – These biscuits are perfect for festive hampers.
• Coffee or tea – Ideal for a midday snack or afternoon break.
• Custard or whipped cream – A sweet dip or topping option.
• Cinnamon lattes – Doubles the cozy spice factor.

Expert Tips for Making the Best Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

Follow these tips for consistently delicious and decorative biscuits:

• Chill the dough properly – Prevents spreading during baking.
• Flour the cutter lightly – Stops it from sticking to the dough.
• Roll dough evenly – Ensures consistent baking across all biscuits.
• Watch baking time – Don’t overbake; they’ll harden as they cool.
• Cool before decorating – Warm biscuits can melt icing or candies.
• Use piping bottles for neat icing – Easier to handle than bags for beginners.
• Store properly – Cool completely before sealing in containers.

Easy Variations of Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

Give your gingerbread men a unique twist with these variations:

• Add orange zest to the dough – For a citrusy festive note.
• Use molasses instead of golden syrup – For a deeper flavor.
• Dip in chocolate – Half dip for a beautiful finish.
• Make mini versions – Bite-sized gingerbread men are great for parties.
• Create different shapes – Stars, trees, or reindeer cutters work well too.
• Add cloves or nutmeg – For a warmer spice blend.

Best Practices to Store Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

• Cool completely before storing – To avoid softening from steam.
• Use airtight containers – Keeps biscuits crisp for up to 1 week.
• Layer with parchment paper – Prevents sticking when stacking.
• Freeze unbaked dough – Wrap in cling film and store up to 2 months.
• Refresh in oven if needed – 2–3 minutes in a warm oven crisps them back up.

Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry Gingerbread Men

These biscuits are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you want to warm them slightly:

• Oven method: Reheat at 140°C (285°F) for 2–3 minutes.
• Avoid microwave: It softens the texture too much.
• Cool slightly after reheating: Returns some of the crispiness.

How Can I Make Mary Berry Gingerbread Men Healthier?

• Use whole wheat flour – Adds fiber and nutrients.
• Reduce sugar – Use 25% less for a lightly sweet biscuit.
• Replace butter with margarine or coconut oil – For lower saturated fat.
• Skip icing and sweets – Serve plain for a healthier version.
• Add ground flaxseed – Boosts fiber without changing flavor.

Nutrition Value (per biscuit, plain):

• Calories: 135
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 19g
• Sugar: 10g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sodium: 70mg

FAQs

Do I need to chill the dough before cutting out gingerbread men?

Yes, chilling the dough for 15–20 minutes makes it easier to roll and cut clean shapes. It also helps prevent the biscuits from spreading in the oven.

Can I make gingerbread men without golden syrup?

Golden syrup is recommended for its classic flavor and chewiness, but you can substitute it with light molasses or honey in equal amounts if needed.

How thick should the dough be for gingerbread men?

Roll the dough to about 5mm (¼ inch) thickness. This ensures even baking and a balance of crisp edges with a slightly soft center.

How do I stop gingerbread biscuits from becoming too hard?

Bake until just golden at the edges, not dark brown. Let them cool fully before storing in an airtight container to maintain their ideal texture.

Final Words

This Mary Berry Gingerbread Men Recipe is a cozy, charming addition to your baking list—especially during the holidays. Easy to make, fun to decorate, and deliciously spiced, they’re a joy to share with family and friends.

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