Monster cookies recipe
 These colourful monster cookies are surprisingly easy to make: great fun for Halloween treats. 85g/3oz unsalted butter, softened150g/5½oz caster sugar1 free-range egg, beaten1 tsp vanilla extract175g/6oz self-raising flour¼ tsp saltorange, green and purple gel food colourings 85g/3oz unsalted butter, softened 150g/5½oz caster sugar 1 free-range egg, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 175g/6oz self-raising flour ¼ tsp salt orange, green and purple gel food colourings handful crisp-coated chocolates, such as Smartieshandful white chocolate chunks coloured writing icing handful crisp-coated chocolates, such as Smarties handful white chocolate chunks coloured writing icing Method Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift in the flour and salt and beat until combined. Divide the mixture into three portions and colour one orange, one green and one purple. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 and line two baking sheets with baking paper.With damp hands, roll each portion of coloured dough into five balls and place on the lined baking sheets. Using your hand, slightly flatten each ball. Press in crisp-coated chocolates for eyes and white chocolate chunks for teeth. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave on the baking tray for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, use the writing icing to create pupils and eyelashes on the monsters’ eyes. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift in the flour and salt and beat until combined. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Sift in the flour and salt and beat until combined. Divide the mixture into three portions and colour one orange, one green and one purple. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Divide the mixture into three portions and colour one orange, one green and one purple. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 and line two baking sheets with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 and line two baking sheets with baking paper. With damp hands, roll each portion of coloured dough into five balls and place on the lined baking sheets. Using your hand, slightly flatten each ball. Press in crisp-coated chocolates for eyes and white chocolate chunks for teeth. Bake for 10 minutes. With damp hands, roll each portion of coloured dough into five balls and place on the lined baking sheets. Using your hand, slightly flatten each ball. Press in crisp-coated chocolates for eyes and white chocolate chunks for teeth. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave on the baking tray for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Remove from the oven and leave on the baking tray for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, use the writing icing to create pupils and eyelashes on the monsters’ eyes. Once cool, use the writing icing to create pupils and eyelashes on the monsters’ eyes. Recipe tips You can make these up to 5 days ahead and store in an airtight container.