shortbread biscuits

[WhiteBear]

must be one of the easiest biscuits to bake, but why does mine always end up rock hard??

[poodicat]

It isnt easy at all

[WhiteBear]

poodicat, i remember as a kid i used to bake loads of these at school, but now they always seem to turn out rock hard, is it because the ovens too hot? or the dough isnt thick enough?

[marval]

It is a long time since I made shortbread, this is from Delia.

http://www.deliaonlin...about-shortbread.html

[poodicat]

I am not that good at making shortbread, i am sure our resident chef can help mercia sounds you listening,and their was another aber asking for help with her yorkshire puds, thought mercia who said that she had made crispy yorkshire puds could have given her expertise?

[askyourgran]

Do you roll them out too thinly or bake them too long?

I use the Bero book recipe 9oz plain flour, 3oz caster sugar, 6 oz butter, mix flour sugar and rub in butter, knead to a smooth paste. roll out 1/2inch thickness. form either round or in fingers prick lightly with a fork. Bake gas Mk 3 to 4 for 25 to 30mins.
Usually works for me sometimes I just use half the ingredients.

[WhiteBear]

ask, 30mins seem a long time, mine started browning at 10mins @180oc. and one of the recipes says put in the oven for 12-15mins!

[ladyalex]

My shortbread can be a bit hit and miss...but as with all home baking, things have to be pretty bad before no one eats it.
I use Delia's recipe, but instead of rolling it out into a circle, I roll it into a long sausage shape , chill it in the fridge for about half an hour then slice it into rounds. (If I have the time I also sometimes press some demerara sugar into the sides of the sausage before slicing).
Then you bake them for about 15 minutes....but you have to keep an eye on them as the time they take depends on the thickness of your slices. Also depends on how brown you like your shortie. We tend to prefer it really pale, so I get it out sharpish....also you can always put it back in if you think you've undercooked it, not so easy to get it back if you've overbrowned it...still , as I said...things have to be pretty bad before we don't eat them.

[askyourgran]

That's what it says, I don't put them at the top of the oven only half way, The recipe book says bake in a moderate oven for 25 to 30min until pale golden in colour it's a while since I made any (on a diet), but this is the only one I've used and they've always turned out crumbly.

[poodicat]

Told ya it wasnt easy to perfect

[tamborine]

I cant even open a packet without a knife - usually slicing myself as well......ageism - time I was put down ;)

[askyourgran]

Packets are getting harder to open tambourine, the childproof aspirin bottles are worst. Dont give up we got to stick together with this age thing.

[merciasounds]

foolproof recipe:
6oz plain flour and the same of butter, and 5 tablespoons of caster sugar
mix together, it will be a stiff dough. Place in a buttered 9 inch tin, prick with a fork and bake for 30-40 mins, gas 2, (150c) It should be pale but crisp.

[Mr Veritas]

My wife tells me that a common fault is "overworking" the mixture.She says you should make it and then gently form the biscuit shapes.If overworked the mixture CAN make hard shortbread.