These shortbread biscuits were inspired by some that we received as a present, and I thought that I’d have a go at recreating them by making up the recipe myself! They would make a perfect Valentine’s or anniversary gift, and are delicately flavoured with rose (as long as you don’t go too mad with the rose water!). I used Taylors’ China rose petal tea for this recipe – it’s better than using a flavoured black tea.

Ingredients (makes about 25 hearts)

140g/5oz plain flour
110g/4oz butter
55g/2oz caster sugar
25g/1oz cornflour
1 tsp rose tea
1 capful of rosewater (probably about 1/4 tsp)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas mark 3 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put all of the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and rub everything together.

2. Add the rosewater and mix well, squashing the mixture into a ball. Roll out (to about half a centimetre thick) on a floured surface and cut out the heart shapes.

3. Place the biscuits onto the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

4. Enjoy with a cuppa! Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post Rose shortbread hearts appeared first on Hello! Hooray!.

If you’re looking to make something a little bit different to mince pies this year, then look no further! Tom’s Mum made these last year and they’re absolutely delicious – replacing the pastry with shortbread is a stroke of genius and they are perfect for a super-sweet treat. Helen found this recipe in the Cumbria Times and Star, published on Friday 14th December 2012.

Ingredients

400g good quality mincemeat
Zest and a juice of one orange
A glug of sweet sherry (optional)
Handful of dried cranberries
250g butter at room temperature
150g caster sugar
150g cornflour
300g plain flour

Method

1. Preheat oven to 170C/Gas Mark 3. Line a 20cm x 30cm baking tin with non-stick parchment.

2. Mix together the mincemeat, zest and juice of the orange, sherry and cranberries.

3. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift the cornflour and plain flour over the butter mixture, and combine everything together (first with a spoon and then with your hands to form a smooth dough).

4. Take two thirds of the dough and press it into the tin in an even layer right into the edges. Spread the mincemeat mixture over the shortbread base.

5. Crumble the remaining third of the dough over the mincemeat so that there are small gaps the fruity mixture may ooze through upon cooking.

6. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The shortbread should be golden brown and the mincemeat bubbled through the gaps in the dough.

7. Leave to cool slightly in the tin before cutting into 3x5cm slices. Allow to cool completely before removing to store in an air tight or tin. Enjoy!

The post Christmas Shortbread appeared first on Hello! Hooray!.