Shortbread Little People

One of things I've been appreciating since Little B started school is the opportunity to bake. And by that I mean the whole idea of baking On My Own. In the pre-school days we used to regularly bake together in the afternoons, in that shortish gap between lunch and the school run. I loved and treasured those times and have some very, very happy Mum-n-Little-B baking memories, but at the same time I do love the sort of baking that I get to do now. I love the gentleness of it, the radio playing, the warmth of the oven, just me and my thoughts and something sweet about to happen. Minimal mess. Creativity.

During the past few weeks I've pretty much worked my way through my familiar baking repertoire : iced buns, oaty cookies, lemon drizzle cake, banana bread, fruity flapjacks. All things that are loved by the whole family and make super-duper after school treats, puddings and weekend snacks.

And then one damp, grey day last week I had a mad craving for shortbread, the sort of craving that sent me scurrying to the kitchen in double quick time to check the Plain Flour situation. Shortbread is so very simple to make, using just three ingredients, but in order to bake on a whim the three ingredients have to always be present in the house. Thankfully there was just enough flour, and so shortbread biscuit making commenced.

I use a very simple formula for shortbread biscuits, and the thing to remember is 1:2:3.

That's 1 part sugar, 2 parts butter and 3 parts plain flour.

So for example, if you want to make up a big batch of biscuits, you would use 60g sugar, 120g butter and 180g plain flour.

And if you wish to make a small plate of dinky little Shortbread People, you would only need half the quantity, so 30g caster sugar, 60g butter, 90g plain flour will do nicely.

The method is a breeze. Put all ingredients into a bowl and rub together with your fingertips until the whole lot comes together into a soft dough. By the way, the butter needs to be soft for this to work, so either use spreadable butter from a tub (my preference), or a lump of butter at room temperature.
Roll the dough out to 0.5cm thick. Or alternatively, work in small batches and simply use the palms of your hands to flatten out the dough (this is my preference as for some reason I really don't like using a rolling pin).

Now you will need a cookie cutter of your choice - hearts, stars or fluted circles work well, but occasionally it's rather nice to have a bit of fun with the shapes. I have the cutest little gingerbread boy cutter in my drawer, he measures just 6cm tall. I cut out the shapes and arranged them on a non stick baking sheet, then did a weeny bit of decorating before they hit the oven. Two holes for eyes (I used a small skewer for this), then some sugar sprinkles pressed gently into the tummy. I have coloured dots and red hearts in my drawer for just such an occasion.

Bake at 150 C for 20mins, they should come out crisp and very lightly golden. Sprinkle them with sugar whilst still hot then leave to cool on a wire rack.

These really hit the spot with an afternoon cuppa, although they were only a scant mouthful which kind of made me wish for a Mummy sized shortbread biscuit. But the Little People absolutely loved the Shortbread Little People when they came home from school, they really couldn't believe I'd made them all by myself. I felt a weeny bit proud of my biscuity achievments!

We had them for pudding for a few days too, eaten with a dollop of really yummy white chocolate and raspberry ice cream. The merciless decapitating and chomping of biscuity body parts caused much sniggering amongst my Little People, which was to be fully expected.

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ps ooooooooooooo look, I've just found biscuit cutters to recreate a whole family, who knew?!!

pps oh my goodness, I've just had a real laugh to myself, remembering Little Man's boy biscuits from four years ago!!!!!!!!!! Snigger!!!!!!!!!!

 

Comments

[Lynda M Otvos]

It cannot possibly be four years since Little Man's gingerbread cookie decorating extravaganza ?~! Wow, where have the years gone, she asks wonderingly....

Very cute little cookies, isn't it wonderful when the efforts we make are so very well received. Happy Holiday-making, Lucy,to you and the family.

[Farrah Lily]

Heavenly...shortbread goes so well with tea! So buttery and delish :)

[Angela-Southern USA]

My first thought when I saw this post was of L. M's. "boy" biscuits! ;D (When I thought my girls zombie biscuits were over the top.) The mini ones are adorable, and I love the tiny hearts. It is that time of year, we'll be making some next month a tradition for sure in our house (we use a drinking glass to roll them out with.) I too enjoy baking with the kids, but at times I like to have it all to myself as well (definitely not as messy.); )I had that pleasure recently, except in was a red velvet cake with Oreo cream cheese frosting. Yum! With Thanksgiving this coming Thursday here in the States, more baking to be done, a pecan pie for sure. Happy baking!

[Pam Roach]

You're such fun!!!!

[Rachell]

I can smell the aroma of them baking. Yum!
Now...to microwave the fridge cold butter, or put it on the radiator! x

[Sigi G]

I too would rather not use my rolling pin (or beaters). Though I love to bake and cook - recipes with 'simple' tools are my favorite.
Thank you for this 1.2.3. shortbread recipe. I think it will become our favorite cookie - all year 'round!
Just love your little gingerbread 'boy' cookies!

[Lunch Lady Jan]

I've only been following your blog for a year or so, so had to check out the Boy Biscuit Balls!! As a mum of two lads, I can completely identify with the lavatorial humour that starts early and is till present now (21 and 18!!) Thanks for a great read and a good laugh :-)
LLJ xx

[Claire]

Love those little red hearts! For a different type of dinky little snack altogether, how about this?!!
http://thequirkyparent.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/guest-interview-i-ate-worm.html

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy I love biscuit cutters. I think I have some christmas tree cutters that I had from M&S a couple of years ago. Shortbread biscuits in the shape
of christmas trees would be great for the upcoming festive season. So this afternoon I'ii have a trial run!! look forward to crochet post on Sunday xx
PS Yes I remember the biscuits little man made. Rude Cooking!!

[Marijke]

Do you use salted or unsalted butter? They look so cute. Thanks for the super simple recipe.

[Carol]

I haven't made shortbread for years. Might have to have a go! They look yummy and my grandchildren would love them. Thanks Lucy and have a gentle weekend.

[heidijo]

Am having my quite 1/2hr eating breakfast after dropping my not so little little man off at college bus to find this post I shall be thinking about shortbread all day but what a good start to Friday a new Lucy post
Thamk you for brightening my day.

[tizabell]

I will have to try this recipe! I make buttery, sugary, shaped cookies that my family looks forward to every Christmas. Only thing, the recipe and method is much more involved. Would love to get them hooked on something simpler.

[Jenn]

Oh, I never realized that shortbread cookies were so simple to make! I Am going to have to have a go at this Friday afternoon!
Thank so much for the inspiration!
Ttfn
Jenn
http://pixielynx.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Teresa at knitbakecultivate]

These are cute. Shortbread is always a winner, and the shapes just make them more fun. I made gluten free shortbread with GF plain flour and they were just as good, you can't tell the difference.

[molly]

Ooooh, I'm with the commenter above -- please dish on the decorations! The heart sprinkles are the best. Would love to track down a source!

Also, snigger, indeed!

[Anne Marie]

I love shortbread too and hate using a rolling pin, in fact I use a clean wine bottle for the hell of it even though I have rolling pin.

Also have a great oaty biscuit recipe called Priory Biscuits taken from a magazine about 40 years ago (I am getting on a bit!).

I decided to start a cozy blanket and I'm just at the end of the third colour and think I'll need to get a couple of balls of different colours. It looks great and I'm thrilled with the neatness of it.

[Zoe/Pennyblossoms]

Yay! Another Lucy recipe to try. I love the oaty cookies and fruity flapjacks.
Know what you mean about keeping a good ingredients stock...I made a real crazy Xmas cake - thought I had what I needed and didn't. It looks fine and smells delish, so the proof of the pudding and all that!! (Even had to use SR flour!! Doh!)
Zxx

[Marie]

Do you know what, Lucy? A photo of those Shortbread Little People in your previous post gave me a serious case of the cravings, and I went and bought a little-man-shaped cookie cutter (or, more precisely, a set of them in various sizes)! Thanks for sharing, it looks delicious!

[Kaye]

I was just about to say "silver balls?"and then I noticed your PPS. My youngest son has had a thing about silver balls (and gold ones) ever since I showed him that first gingerbread man blog post of yours. I think I know what we will be making again this weekend...

[Linda B]

Inspired to make them at the weekend, lovely. Just practising for Xmas treats.

[CJ]

I remember baking with my pre-schooler as well, in that brief afternoon hour. But like you, I bake on my own if they are at school now. The shortbread men look delicious, I can imagine how popular they were. Bet there aren't many left now! CJ xx

[Sophie]

I've been making these since u posted then picture and recipe a few days ago. They are a huge hit. My son did medium stars and has been having them in his pack lunch and supper. Great and simple.

[SOL]

Sorry - no time to comment. Off to make shortbread. Looks so easy (I'm lazy in the kitchen).

[niki murray]

They are fab Lucy, I have the gingerbread family cutters, great fun xx