Unless I’m feeling especially energetic, this is going to be my last post before Christmas. So I thought I’d make it a bit seasonal and join in Mum’s The Boss’s Christmas Baking Blog Carnival.
At first glance, this recipe doesn’t look very Christmassy, although throwing in a handful of raisins makes it even better and I think a teaspoon of mixed spice would work too. The Christmas bit comes from the story behind it, let me explain.
Last year my then-85-year-old gran told the family that there was nothing she wanted for Christmas, but if we really insisted, she’d like some biscuits (cookies) please. She enjoys having friends round for coffee and likes to offer them a nice biscuit.
Now I really admire her for getting to the point in her life where all she wants is her friends, family and a plate of biscuits to share. I’d love to be like that when I’m 85. But it didn’t feel right to wrap up a packet of digestives as a Christmas present. Even if they were chocolate ones.
My gran is diabetic so I looked through my books for a recipe that was halfway to being healthy, as a diabetic biscuit wasn’t going to be much of a treat. I found this recipe in the Netmums ‘Feeding Kids’ book (which is excellent, by the way). I made a double batch, used star-shaped cutters and froze them so Gran could take out a plateful a few hours before her friends arrived.
It’s hard the believe that biscuits that are just oats, sugar, butter and a bit of flour can taste so good, but they are gorgeous – really crisp and light. So easy you could make them with children and they freeze well, too. So without further ado, let me introduce…
Easy Oaty Biscuits
100g butter
50g caster sugar
100g rolled oats
50g plain flour
Cream butter and sugar together, add oats and work into a dough. Knead until smooth, roll out on a floured surface and cut into shapes with biscuit cutters. Bake in preheated oven (170 deg C/325 deg F/gas 3) for 20 mins. Leave on tray for 5 minutes, then cool on a rack.
Right, I’m off to make a fresh batch for this year. Merry Christmas!
Sob – what a lovely, just right for Christmas, story. Delicious biscuits, too. Very pleased to be joining you in the baking carnival. And Happy Christmas!