3 in 1 BISCUIT DOUGH

Homemade biscuits are such a cute and thoughtful gift.  However getting around to making them at Christmas time can be a bit overwhelming. This recipe is an easy way to create impressive biscuits from one batch of dough.  You can get creative with the flavourings and toppings.  The dough can also be frozen well in advance, which is another great, stress free advantage.

Preparation time - 30 minutes

Cooking time - 10 minutes

Skill - easy

Makes - 60 biscuits 

ingredients

340 g butter, softened

2 ¼ cup icing sugar

½ tsp salt

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1 egg white

3 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 ½ tsp cream of tartar (optional) 

Optional flavours

Vanilla - original dough 

Decoration options - coloured icing with crushed christmas sweets, chopped chocolate, decorative cake sprinkles, food colouring coloured coconut

Mixed spice dough

2 Tbsp golden syrup

1 tsp ground ginger

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground allspice

Decorations - options crystallised ginger, mixed peel, glace cherries

Chocolate dough

¼ cup sifted cocoa, 1 Tbsp milk

Decoration options -  melted dark or white chocolate, piped icing, crushed nuts etc

Method

In the bowl of your mixer, add softened butter, sifted icing sugar, salt and vanilla.  Beat well until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).

Add the egg and egg white and beat until well blended.

Sift in the dry ingredients and gentle beat to combine.

Divide the dough into 3 and place in separate bowls.  Add the flavourings and mix to combine.  

Lay a piece of baking paper on your bench. Turn out the first dough and spread it out into a log about 20 cm long and 4cm diameter.

Roll the baking paper around the dough and run your hand along the dough to ensure it is even, secure the ends by twist the paper tight.

Continue with the remaining dough.

Once all the dough is done, either refrigerate for at least 3 hours or freeze until required.

When ready to bake, remove the logs of dough.

Preheat the oven 170C fan bake / 180 C

Cut the logs so you get ½ cm thick rounds.  Place 2 cm apart on baking paper lined trays and bake for 9-10 minutes or until the biscuits are just beginning to colour on the edges.  Remove and cool completely before decorating.

Once cooked they will store in an airtight container for up to a week.