Place the flour, ginger and baking soda in a bowl and mix together. Add the butter and mix with your fingertips until the mixture is crumbly.

Add the soft brown sugar and mix in with your fingertips.  Add the golden syrup and egg and mix until  the pastry comes together. Round up the dough and wrap in plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator for one hour.

Preheat the oven to 350F (180°C).

Remove the dough from the fridge and roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 5mm thick. Cut out desired shapes with a pastry cutter and place on trays lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 7-8 minutes, to dark golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Let the cookies completely cool before decorating with royal icing.

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