Christmas biscuits

Picture thanks to apfelbaum on flicker

This South African recipe is a base for decorated biscuits. It seems that this tradition was imported from Europe by settlers, in the late 18t century .

Recipe for 10-15 biscuits:

• 75 gm Butter
• 50 gm Icing Sugar
• finely grated rind of 1 small lemon
• 1 Egg yolk
• 175 gm plain Flour,
• pinch of Salt

• 2 egg Yolks
• Red & Green food colouring
• some icing
• confectioner's decorations
  

Cream the butter, icing sugar and lemon zests. Sift the flour and fold it in the butter.

Put the dough on a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Set aside, refrigerated for 1h.

Mix each egg yolk with the different colouring.

Roll down the dough and cut some stars, moons, holly leaves, etc.

Put them in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest. Paint them as you wish and bake them in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius (375F).

Let them cool down on a pastry rack.


Vegetarian, nut free, suitable for pregnant women.