Iced biscuits are one of the most popular recipes to make with children, both because of how straightforward they are and how much fun (and creativity!) can be had when decorating the biscuits afterwards. It's also easier to get kids involved if they know there's a treat to be had at the end!
While baking with kids is fun year-round, there's something particularly festive about getting together to bake at Christmas, whether it's filling the house with the aroma of Gingerbread men or getting creative with Reindeer cookies. You don't need too many ingredients, and the kids will love creating their own little characters. Feeling confident in the kitchen? You could even go all out and make a Gingerbread House!
If you want to spend some time baking this Christmas, it's handy to have an easy recipe for Christmas biscuits in your repertoire. This one from the BBC will make 36 delicious biscuits that take no time at all. Why not use Christmas biscuit cutters and use the biscuits as gifts? Simply pop a few in a bag, tie with a ribbon and you've got a yummy Christmas present. Want to be the ultimate domestic goddess? Freeze a batch of unbaked biscuits, ready to whip out and pop in the oven when unexpected guests arrive.
Though of course, with biscuits this tasty, we don't blame you if you keep them all to yourself...
Ingredients
100g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
100g caster sugar
1 free-range egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
275g plain flour
To decorate
400g icing sugar
3-4 tbsp water
2-3 drops food colourings
Edible glitter
Makes 36 biscuits | Prep: 25 minutes | Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Method
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Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
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Cream 100g of unsalted butter and 100g of caster sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy.
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Beat in one egg and 1tsp of vanilla extract, a little at a time, until well combined.
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Stir in 275g of plain flour until the mixture comes together as a dough.
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Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1cm/½in.
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Using biscuit cutters or a glass, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray. To make into Christmas tree decorations, carefully make a hole in the top of the biscuit using a straw.
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At this point you can put some in the freezer for next time - pop them on a tray so they freeze separately and then transfer to a ziplock bag when they're frozen.
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Bake the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. If baking from frozen, they'll take an extra 3-5 minutes.
How to make icing for biscuits
For the icing, sift 400g of icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir in enough water to create a smooth mixture. Go slowly at this point, adding just a little water at a time. Stir in the food colouring.
Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and sprinkle over the glitter or whatever sprinkles and decorations you're using. Set aside until the icing hardens.
Tip!
You can reduce the amount of sugar in this Christmas cookies recipe by using 60g/2½oz soft brown muscovado sugar instead of 100g/3½oz caster sugar. Increase the vanilla extract to 2 teaspoons. Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tbsp finely chopped candied peel with the flour. Decorate with halved blanched almonds instead of icing.
About the author
A journalist since 2015, Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for seven years. First-time mum to Theodore, Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.