Christmas Cookies

Stop!! Cookie time!!!
It's getting towards that time of year again! I can't help but start Christmas baking early, but find I usually eat what I've made before it even hits December! One of the sneaky things I do early though is make my Christmas cookie dough then freeze it ready for the day I'll make it into something beautiful!!
I have 3 different types I'm doing this year, 2 of which I can share the recipes for...

1. Polenta and cardamom cookies
2. Gingerbread men cookies
3. Christmas spiced cookies

While you need to make sure you have some sweet cookie cutters (these can be picked up at the supermarket or Warehouse for super cheap!), a good quality baking companion is also essential; mine today is the lovely Frank Sinatra - one of my favs!!!
Here we go!!

Gingerbread Men Cookies 

2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ginger
 pinch of salt
1 egg
4 oz golden syrup
2 oz brown sugar
2 oz butter melted

Sift dry ingredients together. Beat egg, sugar and syrup together. Add butter to egg mix then combine with dry ingredients. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 180c for 12 min approx.

 Christmas Spiced Cookies

125g butter softened
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp each: ground allspice & nutmeg
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 180c. Beat butter, vanilla, spices and sugar till light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat again. Add the flour to make a firm dough. Chill in the fridge for 15min. Roll out to 5mm thick then cut into desired shapes. Bake for 10-15min till lightly browned.