Six- Spice Gingerbread (Lebkuchler style)

My contribution to Xmas bakeclub back in November... thanks to Cuisine Issue 115 (Nov 2005)...

2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground star anise
1/8 tsp white pepper
125g unsalted butter, cubed
1 packed c soft brown sugar
4 tbsp golden syrup
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 c crystallised ginger

Preheat oven to 190C.

Sift the flour, baking soda & spices into a bowl then rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, then the golden syrup, egg and crystallised ginger and mix to a dough.
Shape the dough into a squared off log of around 25cm x 6cm. You can carefully flatten one edge diagonally for a slanting effect. Cover well with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm.
Line a baking tray with baking paper. Unwrap the dough and carefully cut off 5mm thick slices. Place on the prepared tray and bake for 12 minutes until golden. Makes 42.