When I saw a picture of these I was instantly smitten! How cute are they? However, I didn’t really want to make chocolate ones as I was in the mood for something simpler and I didn’t want to make the 30 the recipe said. So I basically took the picture and then went my own way with the recipe entirely. I’m actually pretty pleased that I am at the stage with my cooking and baking where I can confidently do that. I’ve always been one of those cooks who sees a recipe as more of a guideline than a rule but with baking you have to be much more careful as a little change can make a big difference.
I’m happy to say that my changes produced a lovely biscuity biscuit. Warm from the oven they are sublime and the simplicity is exactly what I wanted. Nothing fancy of faffy, just a plain old delicious biscuit. And have I mentioned how cute I think they are? Oh, I have? Oops!
Makes ~25
115g butter, softened *
70g golden caster sugar
1 egg yolk
160g plain flour
small pinch of salt
– In a medium sized mixing bowl cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add the egg yolk and mix in thoroughly.
– Sift in the flour and salt.
– Stir until combined into a soft dough.
– Bring the dough together with your hands.
– Wrap in clingfilm or a plastic bag and chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.
– Heat the oven to gas mark 5 and line 2 large baking trays.
– Roll out the cold dough between 2 sheets of baking paper to a thickness of about 5mm.**
– Cut out 5cm rounds and carefully lift them onto the prepared trays.
– If necessary chill the excess dough before rerolling it.
– Using a shot glass of bottle cap press down to create a dip in the centre of the circle.
– Use a tooth pick or small skewer to create 4 small holes.
– Bake for 10 minutes near the top of the oven but be careful not to let them burn. Take them out before they start to brown.
– Let them stand for 5 minutes on the trays then remove them to a cooling rack and try not to eat them all at once!
* Either leave it at room temperature for a few hours or weigh it out and give it 20 seconds in the microwave)
** We keep the plastic sheeting that comes around ready rolled icing and marzipan for this job.
Anna in the kitchen 