Gingerbread Farmhouse

Using an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and syrup in a large bowl until creamy. Add egg and beat to combine. Sift over flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda, then add milk and stir to combine.

Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide dough into 3 portions. Wrap each portion in baking paper, then set aside for 30 minutes to rest.

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line 3 large baking trays with baking paper.

Roll each dough portion between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Use gingerbread templates to cut out shapes, re-rolling scraps, if needed. Place shapes on trays. Bake, in batches, for 15 minutes or until golden and firm to touch. Stand gingerbread on trays for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the decorations, combine white chocolate and half the cinnamon in a bowl. Spread both roof pieces and awning piece with white chocolate mixture. Stand for 15 minutes or until chocolate is almost set. Drag a skewer through chocolate to create ridges. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and allow to set.

To make the royal icing, whisk egg white in a small bowl until foamy. Whisk in icing sugar, 1 tbs at a time, until smooth. Stir in lemon juice. Place icing in a snap-lock bag and snip off one corner. Using picture as a guide, pipe 2 windows and a door onto front of 1 house piece. Allow to set.

Working with one piece at a time, pipe icing along bases and sides to join front piece with one side wall and back piece with second side wall, supporting each with small glasses. Stand until icing sets. Remove glasses and attach front and back sections.

Pipe icing along top edge of the front of the house and along long edge of the awning. Rest on top of front wall, using glasses to support.

Pipe icing along top edges of walls and on awning where the roof panel meets. Arrange roof (smaller roof piece adjoining the awning) and support with glasses. Stand for 2 hours or until set.

Remove glasses. Use melted dark chocolate to attach Twirls beneath awning. Hold until secure. Using picture as a guide, use melted dark chocolate to layer chocolate pieces against side of the house to create chimney. Spoon biscuit crumbs around house.