The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Biscuits of Love.... I don't know what the real name of these is, but I found the old recipe yesterday and made some. My Italian grandma used to tell a story about these biscuits - any young girl making these for her sweetheart would be sure to win his heart... must have something to do with them being so delicious! (I've metricised the quantities) 225g plain flour 1/2 tspn each of baking powder, bicarb, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom 1 medium egg 50g unsalted butter 100g golden caster sugar 100g runny hunny Sieve together the flour, bicarb and BP and the spices. In another bowl, or a mug, gently whip the egg. In a small pan, melt together the butter, sugar and honey. Stir the melted mixture into the spiced flour until it looks crumbly, then add half the egg and mix into a dough (you might need to add more flour at this stage). Mould into a ball of dough, wrap in cling film or greaseproof paper and chill for a couple of hours. Roll out on a floured surface until 2mm thick (they rise a bit when cooking) and cut into shapes (at this time of year I use stars and hearts), put on a greased baking sheet and cook at gas 4 for about 10 minutes - you will need to keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly. Move onto a cooling tray before they cool and harden. When they are cool, I ice little outlines on them with some white writing icing.... Rosie uses pink sparkly icing They make your kitchen smell delicious and it's hard not to eat loads. They keep in an airtight container for a couple of weeks (if you don't eat them before that!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I think I can feel a baking afternoon approaching! Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 They sound lovely . I was going to do some baking this afternoon anyway but the session suddenly seems to have got a bit longer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 They really are very quick and easy, and you can make something else when the dough is chilling in the fridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Indeed, such as the chocolate truffles . The baking session gets ever longer ! Dough's a chillin' . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Get ready for your kitchen to smell divine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 my doughs chilling too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Sounds like the race is on girls! I can't wait to hear what you think.. will they win your sweetheart's heart, and what shapes did you cut them into? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Mine will be hearts. I like hearts . I've got some writing icing in the cupboard ready for the boys gingerbread house so I can use some of that to decorate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Mine were hearts and stars - I just outline about 2mm in from the edge - plain and simple and it loots a treat, Rosie's look like a barbie fest!!!! Do they smell good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Just put them in the oven. It makes a lot of biscuits, doesn't it. Oh I can smell them now - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 I must've made over 30 biscuits - some went a bit too brown, but I 'quality controlled' them They are delicious stilll warm - best eat them before the boys get home Kate . They are sinfully nice if you chop some crystalised ginger very finely and add that when you make the dough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 They sound lovely. Will be giving them a try at the w/e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 They taste lovely, Clare! I've iced most of them simply with a white border but did a few with green holly leaves and red berries in the middle. The quality of the piping isn't good though as my hand aches . Deliciously spicy little biscuits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 I'm glad that you like them - now see how many hearts you can steal with them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I think I'll probably manage to steal the hearts of 3 young men in this house anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Mmmmmm, taste lovely! Haven't got round to icing mine - will have to wait until the boys are in bed as they are eating them before I can ice them! They are safely stored in a box until later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...