I can't take the credit for todays post, my little one did all the hard work this time. There was a Spring Fair at her school today and everyone's homework last night was to bake something for the cake stall. Being of a determined nature she already knew what she wanted us to make. Honey biscuits.
The recipe comes from a wonderful book called Honey Biscuits by Meredith Hooper. A lovely story of a gran teaching her grandson to bake his favourite biscuits, the recipe is incorporated into the story (it has been handed down through the authors' family for generations). We have had this book for a couple of years now and I've lost count of the number of times we have baked these. Rainy days, can't face the playground days, who needs an excuse days, it has become a little butter-spattered and smells like cinnamon. Beautifully written and illustrated, it is lyrical and engaging while at the same time teaching a few basic baking skills. It also teaches children that their food comes from a little further away than the supermarket shelf, an ever more important lesson these days. But, perhaps most importantly, after about 40 minutes, you'll end up with a mouthful of warm biscuit.
I would recommend this book to anyone with kids, even if it is only used as a means to delay playing dolls for the umpteenth time. No kids? Follow the recipe below, why should you be denied the sweet, spicy smell that fills your kitchen. Though if you can borrow a little minion helper to do all the hard labour in the name of education, then do so. Never one to let her voice go unheard, someone has a few words to say:
I like reading this book because I like the pictures and they teach me where the ingredients come from and how to bake yummy biscuits. I enjoy making them with my mom. Next time I'm going to separate the egg by myself for the first time. Best of all I like eating them with my friends!
There you have it: honey biscuits made by my little one. And nothing could ever taste sweeter.
HONEY BISCUITS
- 120g unsalted butter, softened
- 120g caster sugar
- 1 large tbls runny honey
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 level tsp ground cinnamon
- 180g self-raising flour
- some extra sugar and cinnamon for rolling
- Preheat the oven to 175 C. Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until they are creamy. (You can use an electric mixer but we usually use a big bowl and a wooden spoon.) Beat in the honey and the egg yolk.
- Add the cinnamon and then the flour in three batches. Mix only until the mixture comes together in a soft dough. If it is sticky add a little more flour.
- Shape about a teaspoonful of the dough into a ball, (or bigger if you want bigger biscuits) roll it in a little sugar and cinnamon and put it on a greased baking tray. continue until you have used up all the dough.
- Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown. Leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes to cool, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes up to 30 biscuits
Oh how beautiful. They both sound and look amazing. She did wonderful.
Posted by: cheryl | May 11, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Hooray for the little one!!!
Just you watch, one day she'll be big and will cook all kinds of goodies for you. I love when my once little boys cook for me these days. These will still be special!
Posted by: Tanna | May 11, 2007 at 09:44 PM
That sounds like a lovely book and a wonderful family tradition, both for the author and for yourself!
Hooray for your little one!
Posted by: Jenny | May 12, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Hi, Congrats on your lovely blog. I'm a big food-blog fan, so it's especially nice to see blogs from Ireland. Keep up the good work! I used to live in Raheen in Limerick - am now living in Dublin. You sound like my long-lost twin - I have this obsessive need to buy a cookbook every few weeks. Thanks for the tip on bookdepository.co.uk, it certainly helps! That photo of biscuits in those little hands is SO adorable!
Posted by: GourmetGirl | May 12, 2007 at 09:05 AM
That is so cute. I can't wait until my little princess can start cooking and baking.I love the photo!!!I always say food and family are the most important things in life!!
Posted by: Lorraine@italianfoodies | May 12, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Hi gourmet girl! I feel I owe you an apology for recommending The Book Depository, they may be amazing but your wallet will definitely suffer!
If you're a food blog addict I'm sure you already know some other Limerick blogs but if not make sure to check out www.italianfoodies.blog.com or www.valskitchen.com for a fellow Limerick foodie also based in Dublin
Drop me an e-mail next time you're in Limerick.
Posted by: Laura | May 12, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Awwww! That was a great post. =) Your daughter did a beautiful job on those biscuits - they are perfectly shaped and I can almost smell the goodness all the way here in the states!
xoxo
Posted by: Lisa | May 12, 2007 at 02:35 PM
simply beautiful. They look delicious.
Posted by: jenjen | May 13, 2007 at 02:33 PM
They look wonderful. I absolutely love anything with honey and cinnamon in. You've got another culinary artiste in the making there.
Posted by: Sarah Bell | May 13, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Oh how cute! What fun...I somehow haven't trained my dog to bake :)
Posted by: peabody | May 14, 2007 at 07:24 AM
Hi Laura! Aww, that's wonderful... I love books like that - I think they are great for introducing children to baking in a fun and informative way.
Posted by: gilly | May 14, 2007 at 03:00 PM
wow that is so sweet ! love the picture of your little girl holding the biscuits.No kids yet , but when i have 'em they will definately be with me in the kitchen cookin !
Posted by: kate | May 14, 2007 at 03:16 PM
I love the recipe, the photo, the text... Everything.
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | May 14, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Well I did it! I donned my chef's hat and baked these cookies, I figured if a 7 year old can manage it I surely can! Complete success they were delish!
Posted by: MT | May 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM
U did a very good job!Thank u.I really appreciate.
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