Description
Delightful British “custard creams” cookies blend nostalgic sweetness with buttery shortbread perfection. Crumbly, delicate sandwich biscuits promise a classic teatime treat that connects generations of home bakers with simple, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Base:
- 125 grams (4.4 ounces) instant custard powder
- 1 heaped tablespoon instant custard powder
Flour and Fat Ingredients:
- 340 grams (12 ounces) plain flour, sieved
- 225 grams (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
Sweeteners and Liquid Ingredients:
- 115 grams (4 ounces) caster sugar
- 300 grams (10.6 ounces) icing sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by setting oven to 180°C and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, achieving a smooth consistent texture.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and milk into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
- Gradually fold in flour and custard powder, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a cylindrical log approximately 5cm in diameter, then refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Remove chilled dough and slice into thin 5mm rounds using a sharp knife.
- Arrange cookie slices on prepared baking sheets, optionally creating decorative patterns with a skewer.
- Bake in preheated oven for 8-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as indication of doneness.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to room temperature.
- Prepare filling by whisking ingredients until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Carefully sandwich cooled cookies with a precise teaspoon of filling between two layers.
- Preserve cookies in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to one week.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
- Experiment with different flavored custard powders to create unique taste variations of the classic cookie.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 44 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg