This week we have been getting excited as the new series of Great British Bake Off kicked off on the BBC. I love baking and biscuits has been both a hobby and a profession. I love to experiment with spices and decided to do my take on a classic shortbread with a twist of crushed cardamon. I was persuaded to share it by a couple of friends so here we are in honour of all the Bake Off fans ( the biscuit challenge is next week) & my friend Paul.
Ingredients:
275g (10oz) spelt flour, 50g (2oz) fine semolina, big pinch of salt,
Top – main ingredients
Bottom – green cardamon
125g (5oz) golden caster (superfine) sugar, 225g (8oz) unsalted butter cubed, 2 egg yolks,
12 green cardamon pods black seeds removed & crushed,
Handful of extra sugar for sprinkling
Method:
- Sieve flour + semolina, add salt and place on to your worktop ( I use a pastry mat).
- Make a well in the centre, add sugar, then butter cubes.
- Take a handful of flour and start kneading together.
- Add crushed cardamon seeds and keep kneading until all but a handful of flour is left.
- Flatten dough and add egg yolks on top.
- Keep kneading with remaining flour until smooth.
- Wrap in cling film (Saran wrap) and chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Clockwise from top left:
(1)Sieve flour + semolina; (2) add salt, sugar, butter cubes
(3) knead dough + crushed cardamon + egg yolks
(4) knead to smooth dough
8. Set oven to 160 degrees Celsius (325 F) to preheat.
9.Sprinkle surface with some sugar & roll out dough to a thickness of 1 cm (1.2 inch).
10. Cut into rounds, I use a 5 cm(2 inch) cutter with fluted edge.
11.Place on a solid baking tray and prick with a skewer or fork as shown below.
12. Bake for about 18-20 minutes until pale golden brown.
13. Place on cooling tray and sprinkle surface with some sugar.
Scottish & Spice & All Things Nice!
Top – before baking
Bottom – fresh from the oven
taste2taste 