Ingredients
1kg flour (light, not self-raising)
300g butter
600g dark brown sugar
1 litre of water
1 pinch of salt
1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch of ground clove
Method
1. Beat the brown sugar, butter and spices together in a large dish, and add the water to the mixture.
2. Sieve the bicarbonate of soda and flour over the mixture and blend to get a thick, not too elastic dough, taking care not to over-knead it. If it sticks, cool it for a while.
3. Roll out the dough into pieces and flatten these with a rolling pin.
4. Using a cookie cutter, carefully punch out your desired biscuit shapes.
5. Bake at 175°C – 200°C for around 10 minutes.
6. Allow to cool, then decorate with piped icing, jelly sweets or sugar beads.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
Preparations were in full swing at the North Pole - ribbons tied, sleigh bells polished, and lists checked twice - yet Father Christmas kindly agreed to pause his busy schedule for an interview. We met him at SCOTCH at The Balmoral, just as the famous clocktower struck 12:03 - it stands watch over Waverley Station, running three minutes fast, so no one ever misses a train. Settled into a deep armchair with a favourite dram in hand, he shared his most treasured places to pause, indulge and unwind across Europe every festive season.
As the world turns ever faster, the more we crave moments that feel timeless. In an age of novelty, amid the noise of constant ‘connection’ and the short-lived churn of the new, many are choosing something rare: nostalgia. Comfort is found in the familiar, meaning in memory, and beauty in places that feel lived-in. Nostalgia has emerged as the new expression of luxury, not as a retreat into the past, but rather a graceful refusal to let its traditions and heritage fade away.
