Rose Red: Domestic Goddess - Granny Boyd's biscuits

So, here's the deal: I've resolved to make at least one new item (ie never before made by me from this recipe) from How to Be a Domestic Goddess, at least once a week. I haven't counted, but there's probably about 200 recipes in the book. Some I won't make, most I will. That's it.

25 March 2007 - Granny Boyd's biscuits (p204)

Nigella describes these as "dark, smoky and melting". Heh! She does have a way with words... What they are is the easiest biscuits you could possibly make - just butter (a whole stick!), castor sugar, self-raising flour and a little bit of cocoa - it is amazing how dark the mix goes with a just a little cocoa.

Here they are pre-squished:

And squished (with the back of a fork - my mother used to make butter snaps, which I suspect are the non-chocolate version of these, and squash lightly with the back ofa fork - well, that used to be my job - that and making the dents in the jam drops for the jam).

And finally baked, for a lovely afternoon tea out on the deck with husby.

Nigella warns that it is hard to tell when they are ready, as they don't really change colour when cooking like most biscuits - and she's right! I extended the cooking time by about 5 minutes and I think I overdid it just a little - they weren't burned, but they were a bit more crumbly than I expected. But very nice with a cup of tea! Nigella recommends having them with ice-cream as a dessert - that could be quite good too! I also think they might be good with a touch of peppermint essence - mmm choc minty goodness.