Christmas cakes are all well and good, and we’ve got a fabulous Christmas cake icing idea in Herdyworld, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like that warming, cosy, and sweet deliciousness that Christmas gingerbread provides.

Herdy’s no stranger to a tasty gingerbread recipe. In the past we’ve made gingerbread biscuits with “muddy boots” as well as Christmas gingerbread cookies.

For this Christmas we’ve got a gingerbread man recipe that’s easy and sure to make you smile… but instead of a man, it’s Herdy!

This gingerbread “man” recipe makes approximately 12 large gingerbread Herdys.

What you need to make “Herdy Yan” gingerbread

• 16 oz plain flour
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 5 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 oz butter
• 6 oz soft brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons golden syrup
• Herdy Cookie Cutter

How to make “Herdy Yan” Christmas gingerbread

1. Melt the butter, sugar, and syrup in a pan until all the ingredients come together

2. Sieve the dry ingredients into a bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Add the melted ingredients and mix together well until it forms a ball. 

3. When cool enough to handle, roll out (to 8mm thick) the mixture on a floured surface and use the Herdy Cookie Cutter as a gingerbread cutter to make biscuits.

4. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 160°C.

5. When baked, allow to cool on a baking rack 

6. Enjoy your Herdy Yan Christmas gingerbread plain if you want the ultimate gingerbread to dunk in your tea or coffee (remember: you need a proper fine bone china mug for that). Or…

7. Additionally, you can decorate your Herdy Yan Christmas gingerbread for a Christmassy treat! We used a Dr Oetker white chocolate pen to stick Asda snow sprinkles to Herdy’s body, creating a jazzy “Christmas Jumper” effect!

8. Share and enjoy!

Your turn

Send us photos of your Christmas gingerbread with the hashtag #HerdyGingerbread; we know there’s some seriously talented bakers out there! Join the flock on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or email us.