Poltava Honey Gingerbread

Recipe from Vladimir Markaryan who makes wonderful carved cookie molds, available on  Etsy

Tip from Vladimir: Before putting the dough into the mold, treat the mold with sunflower oil so that it absorbs into the mold, then the cookies will easily fall out of the mold.

I find it works very well to use a pastry brush to paint the mold cavity with vegetable oil. Then I liberally coat it with flour and bang the mold to knock the flour out before putting the dough into the mold. Flour again and bang before molding each cookie. See Tips for making molded cookies with cookie boards.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup honey
7 tablespoons butter 
2 egg yolks
5 cups flour 
Spices
     1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
     1/2 teaspoon ginger
     1/2 teaspoon cardamom or coriander
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt

Directions

Melt sugar and water over medium heat until it forms a clear syrup;
Stir in honey;
Add butter, stir until melted ;
Add spices, salt, and baking soda;
Cool for 5-10 minutes;
Add egg yolks and mix;
Add 4 cups flour and knead the dough, adding flour as needed;
Chill 1/2-1 hour;
Press dough into prepared mold; Trim excess with a thin wire or knife (an extra large cheese slicer works well);
Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Two of Vladimir Markaryan's lovely Saint Nicholas molds:

Vladimir recommends making the gingerbread with a filling or condensed milk.

Link