Festive Tree Cookies

For the dough: heat the oven to 180°C (160° fan) 350°F gas 4. Line 3 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

Beat together the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a mixing bowl until pale and creamy.

Add the egg yolk and beat until just combined.

Sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves and stir to combine. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, about 3mm thick. Use a 5cm|2" star/shooting star cutter to cut out shapes from the dough. Using a smaller cutter, cut out stars for some of the biscuits. Place on the baking trays, placing the smaller stars on top of the larger stars as desired. Place on the baking trays.

Place the star cutter on some of the stars and press lightly to imprint. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the trays.

For the icing: sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Beat in the egg white and lemon juice to make a smooth thick icing.