One of our tips for making Christmas special for the whole family, these Christmas cookies are ideal for hanging decorations or presents - and of course eating!

This very simple recipe is based on a basic biscuit dough, and is perfect for you to make with your child. You can add various flavourings - such as ginger, mixed spice or lemon essence - but they are just as good without! As with any cooking activity, start with encouraging your child to wash their hands well (they will be getting messy later on).     

Ingredients

250g/9oz (1 cup) butter softened
140g/5oz (1 cup) sifted icing sugar
375g/13oz (2 ¾ cups) plain flour, plus extra for dusting                                                                                                                                           
1 large egg yolk 
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190 C/375 F/ Gas Mark 5 and line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.
2. Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until pale and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla and egg yolk and mix well.
4. Sift in the flour and mix until it forms a firm dough (this is the fun part where your child can get their hands into the mixture to work it into a ball!)
5. For best results, wrap dough in cling film and place in the fridge for about 1 hour to chill.
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 3 mm/1/8 inch thick (don’t worry about getting the exact thickness), then cut out the shapes you require. At this point, you can use xmas cutters or allow your child to make their own shapes. And don't forget, if you are going to use the cookies for decorations, make a hole at the top with a skewer (this should be done by the adult if the children are young).
7. Place cookies onto the baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the biscuits are pale golden.
8. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack where they will harden, for decorations thread a ribbon through the hole and decorate with icing.

While you are waiting, you could give your child a small bowl of warm water and a sponge and let them wash any non breakable items such as wooden spoons and plastic bowls (making sure there are no items that could cut them). Young children love to do the same things they see you doing (a great form of role play). And all these activities provide lots of opportunities to talk together.  

Hope you have fun - and don't forget to check out our other recipes in our Family Events & Recipe Calendar!