margeland.co.uk

Yes, I have finally perfected my Chanukah  biscuit recipe (it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it).  I think it is a good idea to make up a batch of biscuits and either freeze them before Chanukah, or make them on the day and serve them hot.

Ingredients:

• 100g wholemeal flour
• 30g cornflour
• 60g sugar
• 100g margarine or unsalted butter
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 2 tbsp milk or orange juice

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to a medium high heat for at least 20 minutes.
2. In a large bowl mix the wholemeal flour and cornflour together.  The cornflour makes sure the biscuits are nice and firm.  If you leave the cornflour out you will still get biscuits but they will spread out more during baking.
3. Add the margarine or butter and cut it up into chunks using a knife.
4. Rub the fat into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture is the texture of breadcrumbs.
5. Mix in the sugar and mixed spice (if you like you can use cinnamon, or powdered ginger, or a few drops of lemon oil instead).
6. Add the liquid a bit at a time (you may not need all 2 tablespoons, or you may need a bit more), and mix together to form a ball.
7. Knead the biscuit dough lightly within the bowl or on a lightly floured surface.
8. Put the biscuit dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
9. Now on a floured surface roll out the biscuit dough to around 5mm thick.  Now take your Chanukah cookie cutters (or other cookie cutter if you wish – in fact this recipe will work for Pudsey Bear biscuits as well), and cut out your biscuit shapes.  If you don’t have a cookie cutter then just roll out little rounds.
10. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.  Being wholemeal the finished Chanukah biscuits will look darker but make sure they are not burnt! Also don’t put the biscuits too high in the oven, you don’t want to grill them.
11. Allow the Chanukah biscuits to cool for 5 minutes or so either on a metal rack or on a large dinner plate with kitchen paper on.
12. If you like you can decorate the Chanukah biscuits with icing, sprinkles, or chopped nuts.  This is entirely optional.
13. Enjoy with a nice cuppa.  Happy Chanukah!