Vanilla Shortbread Biscuits

Ingredients:

225g /8oz/ 2 cups plain all purpose flour

150g /5.5oz/ 2/3rds cup soft unsalted butter

125g /4.5 oz / half cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 180c /350F/ Gas mark 4

• Sift flour, then place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, mix on medium until resembles bread crumbs.
• Use hands to bring together in to a firm dough. If dough seem too crumbly, add a little butter and knead until a soft dough is formed.

OR

• Sieve (strain) flour into a large mixing bowl, rub in the butter with your fingers until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.
• Stir in caster sugar and vanilla extract, bring mixture together with your hands to make a firm dough.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to the thickness of about 1 inch (however I usually make it a bit thinner, I get more biscuits and they are crunchier).

Use desired biscuit cutters to cut out shapes. Then arrange them on to a baking tray. Bake until golden in colour.

Transfer baked biscuits onto cooling rack, dust with caster sugar if desired.

ENJOY

Nigella Cupcakes

125g Self raising flour
125g caster sugar
125g soft unsalted butter
2 eggs
½tsp vanilla extract
2 tblspoon milk

Method (in a food processor)

• Preheat oven to 200°C, line 12 bun muffin tin with paper cases.
• Place all ingredients in a processor and blitz until smooth.
• Pulse while adding the milk to get a dropping consistency.

OR
Method(hand and wooden spoon)

• Preheat oven to 200°C, line 12 bun muffin tin with paper cases.
• Cream butter & sugar
• Beat in eggs 1 at a time (with a little of the flour)
• Add vanilla extract then fold in the rest of the flour
• Add milk to get the dropping consistency

Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked and golden on top. Let cool a few minutes then remove with cases and place, right side up, on a wire rack.

Once they are cool, I like to make up a batch of
Frosting

• 125g soft unsalted butter
• 1½cups (240g) icing mixture
• 2 tblspoon milk

Beat butter with electric mixer until as white as possible.
Gradually beat in about half the sugar, then add the rest of the sugar and milk.
Flavour and colour as desired, I have never added any flavour and they still are a big hit in our household.
Dollop them on cakes or decorate as desired
ENJOY