Name: Bonfire Night Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 75g unsalted butter, softened; 100g caster sugar; 1 large egg; 250g plain flour; 2 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 large egg white; 250g icing sugar, sifted; ½ tsp lemon juice; Gel food colourings (blue, yellow, red); Star sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Beat the softened butter and caster sugar together with an electric whisk for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then beat in the whole egg until combined.

Step 2: Add the plain flour, sifted cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Continue beating until the mixture forms a dough.

Step 3: Place the dough between two pieces of baking parchment and roll it out to a thickness of about 6mm using a rolling pin.

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Remove the top sheet of parchment and cut out cookies using a 6cm round or star cutter. Re-roll any leftover dough and cut more shapes until all the dough is used.

Step 5: Arrange the cookies on baking sheets lined with baking parchment, spacing them at least 2cm apart. You may need two baking sheets. Bake for 7-10 minutes until the edges are slightly golden.

Step 6: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: To prepare the icing, beat the egg white with an electric whisk until it just starts to froth, about 1 minute. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking at medium-high speed until combined.

Step 8: Add the lemon juice and continue whisking until the icing forms stiff, shiny peaks, about 5 minutes. Add more icing sugar if necessary to stiffen the mixture.

Step 9: Divide the icing into separate bowls. Leave some white, and color the others with gel food colourings like blue, yellow, and red.

Step 10: Spoon each coloured icing into piping bags fitted with small round nozzles or snip off the ends. Decorate the cookies by piping firework-like bursts or swirls. Add star sprinkles while the icing is still wet, if you like.

Step 11: Allow the decorated cookies to set slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

If you prefer plain chocolate cookies, you can omit the cinnamon and ginger for a simpler flavour.

Use your favourite shapes to match any celebration beyond Bonfire Night.

For a vegan version, substitute the butter with vegan margarine and replace the egg with a flax egg or other binder, adjusting the icing accordingly.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep them in a single layer or separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. The icing may soften over time, so it’s best to enjoy them within a few days. If needed, you can gently warm the cookies in a low oven to refresh their texture, but avoid reheating the icing directly.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and wrap it in cling film. Chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before rolling out and baking.

What if I don’t have gel food colouring?

You can use liquid food colouring, but gel colours tend to produce more vibrant shades without thinning the icing too much. If using liquid colours, add them sparingly to avoid losing icing consistency.