Indulge your sweet tooth

Christmas is a time when we often over indulge. This little recipe, however, while absolutely delicious, is a healthy alternative to those traditional gingerbread biscuits, as Lizzie and her little helpers have reduced the amount of processed sugar.

Even still, her kids absolutely love both making and eating them, and we know yours will too. Be sure to make plenty though, as you’ll need some left over to leave out for Father Christmas!

You will need… 

• 240g plain flour
• 100g ground almonds
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground ginger
• 4 small pinches of cinnamon
• 5 large dates (Medjool), pitted
• 100g honey
• 60g butter (unsalted)
• 1 large egg
• Low fat cooking spray

Cooking utensils 

• Baking tray
• Baking paper
• Weighing scales
• Mixing bowl
• Blender
• Spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Star cutter

1. Before cooking, wash your hands and put on an apron.

2. With an adult’s help, preheat the oven at 150°C fan.

3. Weigh and measure the ingredients.

4. Place the dates, honey and egg into a blender. Blend until smooth.

5. Place the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, ground ginger and cinnamon into a bowl. Using a spoon, mix thoroughly.

6. Now add the pour the blender mixture into the flour bowl. Mix until it combines.

7. Once combined, wrap the dough in clingfilm and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

8. Line the baking tray with baking paper.

9. Remove the dough from the fridge. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of clingfilm) to 3mm thick. Then cut out your Gingerbread stars. Place on the tray immediately.

10. With an adult’s help, bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes (or until just turning golden brown). Once baked, leave to cool on the tray for 10 minutes before removing.

NOTE: This recipe contains flour, dairy, ground almonds and eggs. If you have any food allergies, please read the ingredients list and packet labelling carefully before following this recipe.

TIP: If you don’t want to cook all the gingerbread stars at once, at the end of step 9, place the baking tray in the freezer. Later, when you wish to bake them, they will need a few extra minutes added to the cook time.