Thursday 27 May 2010

Marmalade Buttons

It isn't often that Paul requests something sweet. He is very proud of the fact that he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, so generally I only make desserts and cakes and things when we have guests, or when I have every intention of eating most of it myself.

But the other day he asked me to bake him some biscuits. That's cookies to you folks across the pond. He was fairly specific. He wanted quite a plain biscuit to have with a cup of tea, and he wanted hard icing on them.

I looked back through my archive of recipes that I have planned to make, and hit upon Dan Lepard's Marmalade Buttons. I have been waiting a long time to make these biscuits! In February 2008 I thought the moment had arrived, but then I didn't have the energy for home baking and I missed my chance. More than 2 years later I finally get to make them!

I'd say they were worth the wait, but I am actually irritated that it took so long for me to get to eat these delectable little shortbready biscuits. I didn't have rice flour or semolina, so I used tapioca flour, which gives the right sort of very short, crumbly texture. I used some of last year's home made whiskey marmalade, so they had a lovely dark sophisticated citrus flavour and weren't too sweet.

Next time I make them (and I can assure you I won't be waiting another two years) I will chop the marmalade up a bit, because mine had very long shreds which made slicing the dough a bit of a challenge. I will also put a bit more care into the rolling of the dough, because my biscuits were very wonky! I didn't do the rolling in demerera sugar, because of Paul's desire for hard icing on them, and I didn't take a picture after they were iced, because frankly they were much prettier without it. But icing he wanted, so icing he got. I'm a very obedient woman.

13 comments:

Heather S-G said...

Oh my! These sound pretty tasty...I must have missed that whiskey marmalade post, I would have remembered that. I want to give it a try! I'd love a good, wonky biscuit/cookie right about now. =)

Taste of Beirut said...

These cookies sound delicious and the adition of marmalade flavor is brilliant; You are a wonderful wife, I say!

kat said...

What a nice wife you are. I haven't made cookies for Matt in so long.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Heather - well, next time the bitter oranges are in season!

Taste of Beirut - yes, I tell him that all the time!

Kat - but you do all that baking before Christmas! He doesn't need cookies the rest of the year!

Deb in Hawaii said...

they look delicious--wonky dough and all. ;-) I think the marmalade is a great touch.

Joanne said...

Whiskey marmalade sounds fantastic! I need to look into this. These cookies...so cute and delicious.

Suelle said...

I don't suppose cake making skills are really necessary if you can make cookies so well! ;-)

I've looked at this recipe several times but I don't think my 'chief taster' would like them.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Deb - I like to think wonky dough adds character!

Joanne - the marmalade is really good.

Suelle - yes, I think I just have to focus my talents.

HH said...

Oh these sound fantastic FC!! Two of my favourite things - biscuits and marmalade!! I shall be putting that recipe straight into my "food" folder to make when I get home to my kitchen. *sigh*

Unknown said...

What a feminist! :-)

mscrankypants said...

Perfect for afternoon tea. Or morning tea. Or post-any tea. Yummy.

Alicia Foodycat said...

HH - if you are lucky I might make some more and bring you one!

Johanna - *blush*

Cranky - quite good with a champagne cocktail too, I think!

Simona Carini said...

A very nice recipe: I bookmarked it, though I am not sure I can get good-quality marmalade. Your buttons look very nice. I am afraid I disagree with Paul re: the icing.

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