SMART COOKIES

Easy, stylish biscuits with a festive feel to share with friends and family

- HANNAH MILES

Snowcap cookies

30 MINUTES + CHILLING + COOLING | MAKES 18

EASY | GF

These cookies have icing sugar crusts that resemble snow-capped mountains when baked. They’re bursting with mouth-watering chocolate, and I don’t think anyone would know that they’re gluten-free.

plain chocolate 100g, melted and cooled

gluten-free plain flour 150g, sifted

ground almonds 110g

baking powder 2 tbsp

salt a pinch

caster sugar 100g

egg 1

butter 100g, softened

icing sugar sifted, for dusting

• Put the chocolate, flour, almonds, baking powder, salt, caster sugar, egg and butter in a large bowl and whisk together into a creamy dough. The dough will seem very soft but it will firm up as it chills.

• Wrap the dough in baking paper and chill for 2 hours until firm. If you’re short of time, put the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes until firm.

• Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Divide the dough into 18 pieces and roll into small balls between your hands. Roll each ball in icing sugar so they’re well coated, then place on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, pressing down slightly with your fingers. Sift over more icing sugar, so the cookies are coated in a thick layer of sugar.

• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cookies are just firm. Leave to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack using a spatula to cool completely. The cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to three days.