Soft Sugar ‘Skull’ Cookies

Makes approx 20 cookies

Easily made dairy-free, these cookies have a spooky decoration which is oh-so cute! You want a chilled, firm dough so start making these a few hours before you need them so they can chill in the fridge until ready to bake. Even better, make the dough the day before for a quick bake!

Ingredients:

170g unsalted butter (dairy-free if required)

150g granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

280g plain flour

1/2 tsp baking powder 

1/4 tsp salt

Jam (smooth/seedless)

Chocolate (dairy-free if required), melted

Step 1: Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Next add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again until combined.

Step 2: Add the flour, baking powder and salt and beat again until you have  a smooth dough. This should not take long but you may need to scrape down the sides of the bow to incorporate everything.

Step 3: Take a large sheet of grease-proof paper and tip the dough out into the centre. Roll the dough into a thick sausage shape, about 20cm long and twist the ends tight. Store in the fridge to chill until firm.

Step 4: When ready to bake, prepare a large baking sheet with grease-proof paper and preheat the oven to 180c fan.

Step 5: At this point either keep the log of dough round, to have rounded cookies, or use your hand through the grease proof paper, to create a narrow jaw section to create more of a skull shape. Slice the cookies evenly, about 1cm thick, and place onto the prepared baking sheets about 5cm apart. Use your thumb and little finger to make two indents in each cookie in place of eyes. Fill each indent with a little jam.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Step 6: Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Pipe the chocolate into a spooky smile once fully cooled. Allow to set.

Store in an airtight container.