British Spice Biscuits Cookies Recipes

SPICE BISCUITS (COOKIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180C (170C for fan ovens), 350F, gas mark 4 and grease a baking sheet or cookie sheet.
• Beat the softened butter with the caster sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolks and beat to combine.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, mixed spice and cinnamon and whisk (or sieve).
• Stir the spiced flour into the egg, butter and sugar mixture and knead lightly on a floured board to bring the dough together.
• Roll out dough to 0.5cm (quarter of an inch) thickness on a floured board or surface and cut out into 2 inch rounds or whatever shapes you desire; Do not reroll dough too many times or biscuits will be tough.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until very lightly browned at the edges then use a spatula to transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight container to retain crispness.

BRITISH SPICE BISCUITS (COOKIES)

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, spices and a pinch of salt together.
• Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then gradually beat in the egg.
• Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add a tsp of cold water to bring the dough together if you need to.
• Press into a disc, wrap in clear wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 356°F (180°C / gas mark 4).
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to the thickness of a coin and using cookie cutters, cut-out shapes. Prick tops lightly with a fork. Lift onto parchment-lined baking sheets or well-greased baking sheets.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until pale golden in color.
• Leave to stand for a few minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
• If desired when cold, sandwich 2 biscuits together with jam, and drizzle light icing/glaze over tops.

CHRISTMAS SPICED BISCUITS

Steps:

• preheat the oven to 190 degrees/ 180 degrees fan oven or gas mark 4
• sift the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, mixed spice,sugars and ground ginger to a large mixing bowl
• peel the chunk of ginger, then with a garlic press, press the ginger or cut the ginger finely, the add to the bowl
• melt together the golden syrup and butter
• allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before adding to the dry mixture, stir to make a dough ball
• wrap up and stiffen for 30 minutes
• after 30 minutes cut the dough into small chunks
• lightly cover the biscuits with the powder mix
• bake for 10 mins then allow to cool

BRITISH MIXED SPICE

Steps:

• Combine all spices in an airtight glass jar and keep store in a dark cool place for up to several months.Makes about 1/4 cup of Mixed Spice.

FESTIVE SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Sieve the flour, spices and salt together into a bowl and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then add the honey and beaten egg. Stir to fully combine. Sift in the dry ingredients in a few batches. The mixture will be a bit stiff but still soft and not dry.
• Divide the dough into two batches and wrap the halves in cling film. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 3-4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line several large baking trays with greaseproof paper, or if they are non-stick simply butter them and set aside.
• Lightly flour the work surface, then roll out one half of the dough. Stamp out festive trees using a tree-shaped cutter. Lay on the baking sheets with spaces between them, then add on the smarties or other coloured beans.
• When you have stamped out enough to fill the tray, place in the oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes. They want to be golden in colour but still fairly soft as they harden up a little after cooking. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been used up. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.