Festive BAKES

Delicious sweet treats – and those with special dietary requirements have no need to miss out…

Spiced tree-shaped biscuits

The addition of ground spices to the dusting of icing sugar makes all the difference to these festive favourites

Makes 25, depending on size

• Ready in 20 mins, plus chilling

225g unsalted butter, softened

150g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting

1 large egg, beaten Grated zest of ½ unwaxed lemon 350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

¼tsp freshly ground nutmeg

½tsp mixed spice Pinch of salt

FOR DUSTING:

100g icing sugar

1tsp ground cinnamon (ideally freshly ground)

½tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1 Beat together the softened butter and icing sugar in a large bowl, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten egg, mixing well until smooth. Add the lemon zest and mix again.

2 Sift the plain flour, nutmeg, mixed spice and a pinch of salt into the bowl and mix until smooth. Shape the mixture into a disc, wrap in cling film and chill until firm. Line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper and set aside.

3 Lightly dust the work surface with plain flour and roll the dough out to a thickness of 3mm. Using tree-shaped cutters stamp out biscuits and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. The number of biscuits you can make will depend on the size of your cutters. Chill for 20 mins and preheat the oven to 180C, Gas 4.

4 Bake the biscuits in the oven for 10-12 mins or until pale golden. Once cooled, dust with icing sugar spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Per serving: Cals 162, Fat 8g, Sat Fat 5g, Carbs 21g

Chocolate truffe cake

A rich chocolate cake everyone can enjoy – it’s vegan and gluten-free

Serves 12 • Ready in 1 hr 15 mins, plus chilling

325g gluten-free plain flour

6tbsp cocoa powder, plus extra for the truffes

250g caster sugar

250g light muscovado sugar