Christmas cookies

These biscuits look wonderful simply dusted with icing sugar, but you could decorate them with coloured icing, if you prefer

MAKES 22 * PREP 20min, plus chilling and cooling * COOK about 15min

* 75g (3oz) butter, softened * 100g (3½oz) caster sugar

* 1 medium egg

* ½tsp vanilla extract

* 250g (9oz) plain flour, sifted,

plus extra to dust

* ½tsp baking powder

* Icing sugar, to dust

❶ Using a wooden spoon, cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour and baking powder to make a soft dough (you might need to use your hands). Shape into a disc and wrap in clingfilm. Chill for 1hr or until firm.

❷ Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until 5mm (¼in) thick.

Stamp out shapes using Christmas cookie cutters, rerolling trimmings if necessary. If the cookies are to be hung as decorations, use a skewer to make a 5mm (¼in) hole near the top in each one. Place on 2 non-stick baking trays.

❸ Bake for 10-15min until pale golden. Allow to cool for 3min on the trays to harden, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

❹ When the cookies are completely cool, dust with icing sugar, or ice as below.