Jam Biscuits

I remember at school when we used to have a break at 11am we used to get a biscuit and a cup of squash. You were allowed two biscuits maximum and the dinner ladies were there keeping a beady eye on everyone. This was not a problem when the options were plain playing biscuits but when the chocolate digestives came out or the Jammie Dodgers there was always a rush to try and get a second, third and fourth biscuit. I must admit I was never too bothered (weird child, I know). I loved squashed fly biscuits, more eloquently called garibaldis, and sometimes a chocolate hobnob, as I said I was slightly strange.

However, one day a few years ago I decided to try making a homemade jammie dodger. i must be honest, its not a real jammie dodger, if you want something more authentic I would check out Edd Kimber’s recipe in ‘Say it with Cake’, where he goes to great lengths to get that authentic chewiness. I on the other hand am more of a raspberry jam girl, that has still got a little tartness to it, I find it goes so well with a sweet biscuit. Don’t get me wrong these biscuits will work with whatever your favourite jam is, or even a bit of chocolate spread will do the trick if you are after something a bit more on the sickly sweet side of things (always necessary after a not so good day). I sandwiched some Seville Orange Marmalade between two biscuits too – it was a winner.

I am sure you have not failed to notice the loved up nature of these biscuits, I love these with a little red heart in the middle they look so cute and I can’t resist an occasion to use my new message plunger. We don’t usually celebrate valentines day in our house, never have done really but that’s actually kind of how we like it. We will make more of a point to spend the evening together with a nice meal and a glass of wine but we have never given gifts (although I do have one for D this year, shhh…). If you are the gift giving type at this time of year then may I suggest a few of these biscuits I am sure would be gratefully received, a homemade gift is always that little bit special I think.

Jam Sandwich Biscuits | Makes about 15

Ingredients:

• 325g Plain flour (plus a bit extra for dusting)
• 50g Cornflour
• 50g Ground Almonds
• 200g Caster sugar
• 1/2tsp Salt
• 225g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 Large free range egg
• 1tsp Vanilla extract

Method:

1. Put the flour, cornflour, ground almonds, sugar and salt into a bowl and then rub the butter in until you have breadcrumbs.
2. In a separate small bowl (or mug) beat the egg and the vanilla extract together and add to the flour and sugar mixture.
3. With your hands bring the mixture together, divide into two and chill it in the fridge for one hour.
4. When you take the dough out the fridge I find it best to leave it on the side for 10 minutes or so to warm up – this may sound counterintuitive but I have found it means the dough won’t crack as much when rolling it out.
5. In the meantime get a baking sheet covered in baking parchment ready and preheat the oven to 180°c fan.
6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 3-4mm thickness.
7. Cut out 5cm rounds and cut a little heart out the middle of half (if you are not feeling loved up then a small circle, star or not at all works too).
8. Place the biscuits on a prepared baking tray and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
9. Put the biscuits in the oven for 13-15 minutes or until the edges of the biscuits start going golden.
10. Cool on a wire rack.
11. Once completely cool fill them with your favourite jam and sandwich them together.

[These will keep for a couple of days in a airtight in unfilled. Once filled eat them quickly – tough job!]