First step is to cream the butter and sugar together. Do this for about 5 minutes so it’s light and fluffy.

Add a pinch of the flour, the egg and syrup beat until it mixed.

Add all your dry ingredients and beat until it forms a nice dough.

Clingwrap your dough and let it chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 180°C or 360°F.

Roll out dough and cut out your little men or women on a lightly floured surface.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until they are beautifully golden and your kitchen smells glorious.

Wait for the little dears to cool and decorate to your hearts content. I have a great royal icing recipe that I found trawling the internet one day for a royal icing recipe that is good, easy and you can pipe beautifully with it. I have found the trifecta of royal icing courtesy of the domestic goddess herself, the divine Nigella Lawson.

Place all the icing ingredients in a mixer and whisk for 5 minutes or until gloriously glossy and thick. Color to your whimsy and decorate away.