FESTIVE BAKES

Pop the Christmas tunes on and whip up some sweet treats that the whole family will love

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Christmas tree cookie stack

SERVES 20

Get the kids involved with this impressive tower.

It's easy to construct and will last a couple of weeks.

YOU WILL NEED

175g golden syrup

200g dark muscovado sugar

80g unsalted butter

350g wholemeal plain flour

1tsp baking powder

3tsp mixed spice

100g mixed peel (see tip)

1 medium free-range egg, beaten

300g royal icing sugar

100g Jelly Tots or Smarties

Cocktail stick

HOW TO DO IT

Put the golden syrup and sugar in a pan, and stir over low heat until melted. Bring to a boil, take off the heat and add the butter. Stir to melt.

Put the dry ingredients and mixed peel into a mixing bowl. Stir in the syrup mixture, then the egg. Scoop onto a small tray lined with cling film, then chill until cold and firm.

Roll out the dough on a well-floured surface to a 5mm thickness. Cut one small star for the top of the tree and about 15 triangles, starting with 16cm edges and gradually getting smaller. Repeat until the dough is used up, arranging them on lined baking trays.

Heat the oven to 180C Fan. Bake the biscuits for 12 mins, then leave to cool on the baking tray.

Put the icing sugar and 3tbsp boiled water in a bowl and beat for 5 mins in an electric mixer. Spread icing on the biscuits and put sweets on each point. Use icing to add a cocktail stick to the star. Leave to dry, then stack the biscuits by size order, poking the star in the top.

Red velvet festive layer cake

SERVES 18