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1
Sift the flour and salt together.
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2
Rub in the butter till the mixtures resembles breadcrumbs, then add in the sugar.
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3
Knead the mix into a pliable dough.
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4
Roll out on a lightly floured surface to just under 1cm (1/4 inch) thick.
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5
Cut out the shapes with the cutter, rolling the excess dough again in between, making six in all.
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6
Move one arm of each man closer to his side.
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7
Bake on the prepared baking tray in a hot oven (160 C / 325 F, Gas Mark 3) for about 30 min till pale brown.
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8
Cold before lifting off the tray.
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9
Blend the icing sugar with just sufficient water or possibly fruit juice to make a thick glace icing and fill the piping bag.
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10
Cut the ribbon into six even lengths.
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11
Cut the top off the bag and secure the ribbon over the shoulder of each man, sticking the ends at the back with icing.
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12
Use a little icing to stick a Button in position on the heads, two currents for eyes and a piece of cherry for a cheerful mouth.
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13
Finally add in a Flake 'caber'.
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14
Allow the icing to dry.
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15
Cook's tip: Don't roll the shortbread too thin or possibly the biscuits tend to break.
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16
The quantity of mix is exactly right to make six biscuits.
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17
Either size of Flake may be used: the larger size looks more correct but the smaller Flake are not so heavy on the biscuits.
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18
Should you only have a gingerbread woman cutter, make a sharp cut through the skirt with a knife and divide the legs.
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19
NOTES : These fun biscuits could be used for 'going home' presents carefully wrapped to add in to the party bag.
