xmas biscuits advice needed.

gailey_2

Want to attemt to make xmas biscuits as presents so has anyone got

cheap shortbread recipie
or cheap gingerbread.

Also where can I get xmas shaped cutters have tried woolies/wilkos and instore want a tree or star shape be nice.
Anyone else doing same?

Gunna

I am gonna make some christmas cookies but not sure what yet lol was thinking of also doing gingerbread biccies as you can't go wrong with homemade ones. I also like spice cookies(made with cinnamon and mixed spice).

I made rich shortbread last year with lots of butter and it was nice but sorry
have lost the recipe, if i find it i will post it.

This is the recipe i am going to use if i make gingerbread cookies(i always use goodfoods website as it has reviews so you know roughly how ppl think things turn out, i have done loads of recipes of it and they are all super)!!!!

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3000/gingerbread-trees

Gunna

FOUND IT !!!

Lol here is the shortbread recipe i used and can confirm they were better than any shortbread i have ever tasted(yummy).

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/shortbread-stars,1849,RC.html

Butterfly_Brain

Try Twinks Hob nobs they are really good and easy to make, I made some last week and dipped them in chocolate - now everbody wants me to make them for Christmas. Oh yes that's six presents sorted!

sarah_2-2

Here's a recipe from this month's Prima:
200g honey
200g light muscovado sugar
50g butter
1 orange
1 lemon
2 medium eggs, beaten
550g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarb of soda
2tsp cinnamon
2tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
1/4tsp each nutmeg and mixed spice

1. In a large saucepan heat honey, sugar, butter and lemon juice over a low heat till sugar is completely dissolved (15-20mins). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Whisk zests and eggs into cooled mixture. Sift together lour, bicarb, all spices and pinch of salt, Gradually stir into honey mixture. Lightly oil a plastic food bag. Plauce dough into bag or wrap in oiled cling film and rest in fridge for 2 hrs or up to 3 days.
3. Preheat oven to gas mark 4, 180 degrees c (170 with fan). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin, roll our 1/4 dough, then leave the rest in the fridge. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place on baking sheet 2cm apart and bake in batches for 8-10mins (moving on to the rest of dough afterwards). Cool on baking sheet for 2 mins and transfer to rack to cool completely.

Enjoy! xxx

kal25

Hi just wanted to say that i used to find shortbread mixture really hard to work right and plain. tasting(could be just me tho). So i decided to add some almond flavouring to the mix...this gives it a little flavour and your mix isn't too dry.( lucky if the biscuits get to cool b4 they r all gone now) you could try different flavouring to your taste or even vanilla if you don't want too much.
Think i got some cutters from wilkos or you could try woolworths?
HTH. happy baking Kal25

purpleivy

The thing that makes the difference for me is using butter rather than margarine, flavour is sooooo much better.

sandy2_2

This is a WI recipe I use
225g (8oz) softened butter
115g (4oz) icing sugar
225g (8oz) plain flour (although all I had was self raising and this worked great too)
115g (4oz) cornflour
caster sugar to dredge

Cream butter and sugar, then blend in flour and cornflour. Grease a swiss roll tin and press mixture in firmly. Bake at 150 degrees c (fan oven) for 40-50 mins until golden in colour. Leave to cool in the tray for 10 mins and dredge with caster sugar. Cut into fingers and put on wire rack to cool totally.
Although it says cut into fingers, I used a variety of Xmas cutters before baking, they were lovely

nixinix

Hi - I am thinking of making biscuits as presents but concerned how far in advance I can make thme. I am out on Chrostmas Eve so would have to make before then - wouldthey last???? Don't want to give stale biscuits as [resents!

Bitsy_Beans

Can help with receipes but I got my xmas cutters from Tescos last year. Cost £2 for bout 15 plastic xmas shaped cutters including an angel, tree, stocking etc.