the basic and best Christmas cookie recipe

Christmas is a delicious time of year. It's the one time you can open the fridge door in hope and not be disappointed. Mince pies, yule log, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, boxes of chocolates, fudge, candy canes... but sometimes a simple Christmas biscuit is all you fancy, something sweet to fill the gap between that lunchtime slice of yule log and the post-dinner wodge of mincemeat.

There are many types of Christmas biscuit, but the two types I make the most are Christmas shortbread and Christmas cookies. Incredibly easy to make and great to have in the cupboards during Christmas. They also make brilliant Christmas gifts!

Here is my go-to recipe for Christmas cookies. They turn out lovely - slightly chewy (thanks to the addition of golden syrup), slightly doughy and slightly crisp on the edges. A perfect cookie. You can add cinnamon, mixed spice, or even ginger to turn it into gingerbread. Yum.

You will need

4 oz butter
6 oz soft brown sugar
4 tbsp golden syrup
12 oz plain flour
2 tsp spices of your choice
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 egg, beaten

to do the following:

1. The boring bit - set oven to 190 degrees celsius and grease a couple of baking trays.
2. In a saucepan gently melt the butter, sugar and syrup together over a low heat. Keep stirring (very gently) so the mixture doesn't catch.
3. Sift the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the syrup mixture and the beaten egg, and mix everything together.
5. Knead the mixture into a ball. If it's super sticky, add some more flour (but not too much).
6. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
7. Roll the dough out to about 5mm thick and cut into the shapes of your choice.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. They will still seem quite soft, but soon harden a bit once they're out of the oven. Then put them on a wire rack to cool.

Lightly dust them with icing sugar and wrap with cellophane for an easy peasy Christmas present. Or preferably just eat them yourself.

A batch I made last night for a gift...to go with a festive Emma Bridgewater biscuit tin!

I can't wait til Sunday lunchtime when I will be free from work-commitments for over a week. Tree decorating will kick off the festivities. I am so excited and there will hopefully be a few Christmassy posts to share with you! Of course typically I've caught a bug that's been doing the rounds at home and my throat is like sandpaper. Instead of moaning I'm trying to think of it as an excuse to drink more hot chocolate. Praying I'll be ok for the work party tomorrow night.

Apologies to those of you still waiting for your Christmas cards. I've posted a bunch this morning, but had a minor disaster last night when I spilt blackcurrant juice over a pile ready to be sent. Classic Kate. You will get one, eventually!

I've had a very productive morning - posting parcels, cashing cheques, doing a bit of Christmas shopping. Now I'm going to go and make a hearty beef and vegetable puff pastry pie for dinner. My brother has baked an amazing-looking yule log for dessert - it's like Christmas has come early in our house! Excuse me while I adjust my waistband...