Family Weekend & Blackberry Picking

My cousin and her family came to visit over the weekend. An extra 5 people in our small cottage was panicking me slightly, but of course it worked out fine and although the weather was very wet and gloomy we did manage to go out for a quick walk on Sunday morning, up the hill next to our house where there are loads of blackberries! The children loved it and we got 4 tubs full.

Of course I couldn’t let visitors come without making some treats, so on Friday I made some shortbread biscuits. I love this recipe and the biscuits are a big hit with the boys and D.

The recipe is one I found on the BBC Food website and I’ll share it with you, it’s very simple to remember –

INGREDIENTS

125g/4oz butter

55g/2oz caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

180g/6oz plain flour

METHOD

1. Heat the oven to 190 deg C/375 F/ gas mark 5
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth
3. Stir in the flour to a smooth paste.
4. Flour the work surface and turn the mixture on to it.
5. Roll out to 1cm/1/2″ thick and cut into shapes (I just use a small round cutter)
6. Put them onto baking trays and sprinkle with a little caster sugar.
7. Chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes

Here the BBC recipe says to bake for 15-20 minutes. The first time I made them I set the timer for 12 minutes so I could check them. But when I looked at them they were brown all over and looked over cooked. I like shortbread quite pale with a slight browning just round the edge. So the next tray I baked for 9 minutes and they came out perfectly. I’m not sure if it’s because I used the fan in the oven, but I would suggest checking them after about 8/9 minutes to check the colour. (you may like them very brown, in which case the longer time will be fine for you).

8. Set on a wire rack to cool. Then enjoy.

I hope you can give this recipe a try, there’s nothing better than homemade biscuits and I so much prefer the boys eating these than any bought from the shops, I know what the ingredients are and that they are good quality.

If you need some baking inspiration, The Great British Bake Off starts tonight,  here in England. I love it and can’t wait, for an hour every Wednesday night I’ll be parked on the sofa with some crochet, a cup of tea and the TV on. Lovely!

Have fun and take care. E x