To get us in the mood for those sleigh bells and snoozes by the fire, here’s author Sarah Morgan’s favourite festive recipe (and it appears in Sleigh Bells in the Snow!).

Don’t forget, you can win a copy of Christmas Ever After plus a one night couple’s stay at Portavadie – a luxury retreat on Loch Fyne on the west coast in our 12 Days of Christmas competition today.

“CINNAMON STARS

225g plain flour (2 cups)

175g soft brown sugar (3/4 cup)

1 egg (beaten)

1 level teaspoon ground ginger

1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon (more if you prefer!)

100g butter (1 stick/half a cup)

Mix the spices with the flour and sift into a bowl (try not to miss the bowl and sift it over the dog as Kayla does in my book).

If making by hand, rub in butter then add sugar and egg and knead into it forms a ball of biscuit dough. (If using food processor just put all the ingredients together and blend, adding the egg last).

Place dough in fridge (I put it into a freezer bag) to chill for 20 mins.

Remove from fridge, sprinkle flour and roll dough quite thinly and cut into shapes.

Arrange on lightly greased baking trays.

Cook for 15 mins in pre-heated oven (190 C, 375 F, Gas 5).

Place on cooling rack (nowhere near dog or anyone with surname O’Neil!).

Eat.

Eat more.”

Thanks Sarah, we can’t wait to try there!

Enter now to win a copy of Christmas Ever After plus a one night couple’s stay at Portavadie – a luxury retreat on Loch Fyne on the west coast in our 12 Days of Christmas competition.

By The Mills & Boon team