Lunch Box Idea 27 – Diamond Jubilee Shortbread Biscuits

Today we are up to lunch box idea 27 and we thought this recipe would be perfect for the Diamond Jubilee. With over 9500 street parties* due to take place this Diamond Jubilee weekend, there may be some of you (like me, ahem) that needs a last minute Jubilee recipe that is sure to impress…

These Diamond Jubilee Shortbread biscuits fit the bill perfectly. Taking just half an hour to prepare, there really is no excuse for them not to appear on your street party table, or in your back garden … with a cuppa, naturally…

DIAMOND JUBILEE SHORTBREAD BISCUITS

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 12 minutes, plus cooling

Makes:  about 16

Ingredients you will need:

• 100g (4oz) Kerrygold butter
• 50g (2oz) caster sugar
• 150g (6oz) plain flour
• ¼ tsp ground mixed spice
• 1 egg yolk
• Red, white and blue writing icing
• Silver balls and gold stars or small sweets

Method:

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Sift in the flour and mixed spice, and stir to combine. Add the egg yolk and bring the mixture together with your hands, kneading lightly until smooth. Try not to overhandle as the mix will become warm in your hands. Wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C, fan oven 160°C, Gas Mark 4. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment or greaseproof paper.

Once the 20 minutes are up, remove from wrap. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Ideally use crown-shaped cutters, if you have them, to stamp into biscuits (if not, use a plain or fluted cutter). Carefully lift onto the baking sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden. Cool for a few minutes on the trays, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate the biscuits with red, white and blue writing icing, then finish them off with silver balls and gold stars or small sweets.

Pop on a platter for all to admire.

These do work brilliantly in lunch boxes too. So why not bake up a couple of batches – one for the party and one for indoors…

Approximate cost of total ingredients:  £1.90

Calories per biscuit 145 / Fat per biscuit 5.5g

Top tip: Make with unsalted butter if you want that unsalted taste… Why not try Kerrygold Lighter Unsalted butter and save 1.2g fat/10 calories per biscuit.

So that is lunch box idea 27, but now to the question, what other delights will you be baking up to make your lunch box that little bit more patriotic?

The Lunch Box Lady x

* source : Local Government Association