Annabel Karmel’s Easter Animal Cookies

Method

• Step 1

  Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Line or grease two large baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

• Step 2

  Sift the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl. Cut the butter into chunks and add to the bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingers until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.

• Step 3

  Stir the sugar into the mixture, then add the egg yolk and golden syrup and mix everything together using a wooden spoon.

• Step 4

  Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour and knead the dough until it is smooth. Cut the dough in half.

• Step 5

  Sprinkle the work surface with a little more flour and roll out the dough, starting at the centre and rolling evenly outwards. Repeat with the second ball of dough.

• Step 6

  Cut into shapes using animal cookie cutters. Re-roll the trimmings and use all the dough.

• Step 7

  Place the shapes on the lined or greased baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate the biscuits once they are cool.