As Valentine’s Day falls in half term this year, I thought it would be a good idea to get the children testing out a biscuit recipe that we could make together to give to Mr. Scott. We did this last year, making a huge plateful that he then took in to share around his office. As we have been married for 11 & 1/2 years I prefer to not make a very big deal about restaurants, sitting amongst all the other tables of two has lost it’s lustre. As long as I get given a swanky box of chocs I’m happy.
But, it is a good excuse to get baking so that is what we do. Me and the two girls managed to spend the best part of an afternoon mixing, rolling and cutting while the boy and his dad were at a party. They are both getting quite skilful in mastering their rolling technique and it is funny to watch younger girl’s ability to make every single biscuit identical in size and thickness much to her older sister’s annoyance!
As I am entering these Iced Shortbread biscuits into Sarah at Maison Cupcake’s “Forever Nigella” blogging event they were of course based on a recipe from Nigella herself taken from her “How to Eat” book. I split the dough in half and made two pink doughs, one pale and delicate, one gaudy and brash. They both tasted buttery, short and melted in the mouth. The dough withstood huge amounts of manhandling which did not seem to affect the end result. All in all a very good recipe that I would thoroughly recommend . Only 5 ingredients too!
Iced Shortbread Love Hearts
Adapted from Nigella’s “How to Eat”
Ingredients:- Makes 30 approx
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100g unsalted butter, softened
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50g icing sugar
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100g plain flour
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50g cornflour
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Red food colouring
Method :-
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Cream the margarine and the sugar together in a mixing bowl or food processor.
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Add the flour and cornflour plus a pinch of salt.
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Combine the ingredients until they form a dough.
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Split the dough into two bowls and use the red food colouring to make two pink doughs, one light, one dark.
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Roll the doughs into balls then cover with cling film and refrigerate or 20/30 minutes.
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Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees.
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Line two baking trays with baking parchment then roll out the doughs with a rolling pin and cut out using heart shaped cutters of your choice. (neither too thin nor too thick)
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Place biscuits on the trays and bake for 20 minutes approximately.
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Cool completely on a wire rack before coating in glace icing made from icing sugar mixed with water and a dash of red food colouring. Alternatively, buy some of the spray can glimmer in silver or gold. (Dr.Oetker)
They are really lovely, I bet your girls had a great time, and I think the spray is a great idea, I used it on a gingerbread house and it gave a gorgeous gleam. Jude x
Yes, I remember your gingerbread house and how lovely it looked thanks to this wonder spray and your skills of course at construction!
A lovely half-term project! Will bookmark, very cute cookies 🙂
Thanks Ren, I am always amazed at how much the kids love dough in any shape or form!
I’m looking forward to baking with my daughter one day – as she’s not even born yet I’ve got a long time to wait but it must be such good fun!
A lovely baking session for you all to do together. They look really sweet – lucky Mr Scott
Thanks, I shall be making many more on the !4th of Feb!
What adorable biscuits I love the fact that you added some colour to them, perfect for valentines. My shimmer spray is never far from hand 🙂
So pleased you like them and yes the shimmer spray is soooo good!
Great looking cookies and so fun to make for Valentines day. GG
Thanks alot, they are good fun to make and taste pretty good too! Love your site by the way, will be back 🙂
Oh I adore them, this is something I will have to do with my neices, don’t think the nephews will be that delighted with the hearts, or maybe I undestimate them – maybe they would be happy to make them for their mothers. Thanks for sharing.
Maybe you could ask your nephew what colour he likes and get him his own bottle of food colouring. Bet he’s be interested then!
So cute and great recipe! My girls would love making these. Thanks
Hi Sheelagh, thanks for visiting my blog! Loved your beautiful fairy cakes post :-)x
Baking with my mum was one of my favourite things to do as a child so I’m sure you’re creating some wonderful memories for your kids 🙂 Lovely post.
Thanks! I used to love baking with my granny so maybe that is why I like to do it with my kids now. You’re right it does make for good memories xx
Oh they are scrummy. Here’s our attempt – I’m usually much neater but I let 3 year old loose with the icing!!
http://chocorangecitymum.com/2012/01/31/afternoon-baking/
So pleased you made them. But, did you use marge or butter??!!