These biscuits are great fun for children to make as presents. Any shape of biscuit cutter can be used. Store the biscuits in an airtight tin, and for a change, omit the lemon rind and add 1/3 cup of ground almonds and a few drops of almond extract.
ingredients
makes about 12
6 tbsp butter
generous 1/2 cup Confectioner’s sugar
finely grated rind of 1 small lemon
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cups All purpose flour
pinch of salt
To Decorate
2 egg yolks
red and green edible food colorings
method
1. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and lemon rind together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk and then sift in the flour and the salt. Knead together to form a smooth dough. Wrap in clear film and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2 inch fluted cutter, stamp out as many biscuits as you can, with the cutter dipped in flour to prevent it from sticking to the dough.
3. Transfer the biscuits on to lightly greased baking trays. Mark the tops lightly with a 1 inch. holly leaf cutter and use a 1/4 inch plain piping nozzle for the berries. Chill for 10 minutes, until firm.
4. Meanwhile, put each egg yolk into a small cup. Mix red food colouring into one and green food colouring into the other. Using a small, clean paintbrush, carefully paint the colours on to the biscuits. Bake the biscuits for 10 - 12 minutes, or until they begin to colour around the edges. Let them cool slightly on the baking trays, and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
more information
When cooking with young children, things will flow more smoothly if you have all the ingredients prepared before they start to cook. It is a good idea to provide large aprons for all involved!
