Next time you watch The Apprentice, keep an eye out for what biccies Sir Alan has got on his boardroom table. Around 80% of UK business folk surveyed reckoned the quality of biscuits they offered to potential clients was crucial to swinging a deal. The report, conducted by Holiday Inn, revealed that chocolate digestives, shortbread and Hob Nobs, topped the bill, while crumbly biscuits were more likely to garner a "You’re fired!"

But the crucial question of biscuit politics doesn’t end there. Family Circle magazine in the US has gone where Newsnight dare not tread, and challenged the spouses of the US presidential candidates to share their best cookie recipes. We’ll let you, the professionals, judge who’s best. And let’s hope, for the rest of the world’s sake, that they’re not crumbly...

Cindy McCain’s Oatmeal-Butterscotch Cookies

3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups rolled oats

12/3 cups butterscotch chips

Michelle Obama’s Shortbread Cookies

11/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

11/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, for sprinkling

2 egg yolks

2 tablespoons Amaretto (almond liqueur)

1 teaspoon each orange and lemon zest

3 cups cake flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 beaten egg white

Chopped nuts or dried fruit (optional)