spiced biscuits

100g butter or margarine
75g caster sugar
1 egg separated
200g plain flour
pinch salt
½ level tspn ground mixed spice
½ level tspn ground cinnamon
50g currants
15-30ml milk
caster sugar for sprinkling
Pre-heat oven 200c (400f) gas 6

1. Cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy then beat in the egg yolk.
2. Sift flour, salt and spices and fold into the mixture.
3. Add currants and enough milk to make a fairly soft dough.
4. Knead lightly and roll out to 5mm thick on a floured surface.
5. Cut into rounds using a 5cm fluted cutter.
6. Place on greased baking sheets and cook for about 10 min.
7. Remove from oven, brush with beaten egg white, sprinkle with caster sugar and return to oven until lightly golden.
8. Cool on a wire rack

Makes 16-18

sprinkle

Probably the most popular sprinkle is cocoa powder as it gives a professional looking finish to any type of coffee with a white frothy milk or cream top.

You can also create patterns by using a coffee stencil (available from most high street kitchen shops) - and using a fine sieve dust cocoa through the shaped stencil and onto the frothy top.

make your own stencil

Cut out a square of light card slightly larger than the top of the cup you are going to use and simply cut your design out of the centre, using a craft knife - try a heart, a star or themed to match the season!

dunk

Sometimes you need more than just a cup of coffee sometimes you need a treat.

Make your coffee latte or cappuccino even more special...
dunk a chocolate flake!

You can stir it round until it melts giving a sumptuous, rich mocha drink or you can use it to scoop up and eat with the frothy cappuccino top... naughty

For a comforting drink on a cold day try a long coffee latte or cappuccino stirred round with a cinnamon stick. Leave it in while you drink and it will give a warm slightly exotic, spicy taste to your coffee.