Ultimate cookies

Use electric beaters to cream together the butter and sugars for 3-4 minutes, until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla; beat until combined. Add the salt, bicarbonate and flour; bring together with a wooden spoon. Choose your flavourings and stir through. Cover with cling film; chill for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 200˚C, gas mark 6. Line 2 baking trays with parchment. Roll 2 heaped tsp dough into a ball in your hands. Put on the lined trays and flatten slightly. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies well apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Leave to cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.