Shortbread

[Catriona]

SHORTBREAD

I think most Scots have their own family recipe for shortbread. Mine uses rice flour as well as flour, and gives a very light texture to the shortbread. I have a lovely shortbread mould that has been in the family for a very long time - this is the amount of ingredients to fill that mould!

5 oz plain flour
3 tablespoons rice flour
2 oz caster sugar
4 oz butter

Sift flours together and add sugar. Work in butter with fingertips. Knead mixture lightly, but don't overwork or the butter will go oily.

Either use a shortbread mould or pack into a 7 inch sandwich cake tin. Make sure you 'prick' the mixture well with a fork to prevent it rising too much and making the results look 'bumpy'.

If you use a cake tin, mark the round into wedges before baking.

To make traditional 'petticoat tail' shortbread - lay the circle of shortbread on a baking tray, mark into wedges and then, using your fingers, make a scalloped edge to the dough.

Put in a heated oven Gas Mark 3, 160C or 325F for about 45 minutes until golden. When cool, dredge with a little caster sugar.

I know that it can difficult to find caster sugar in the States and Canada. This sugar is finer than granulated, but not as fine as icing sugar.... It may be what is called confectioners' sugar in the US (but I am not certain) if I run out I just blitz granulated in a foodprocessor (but not TOO finely).

Keep in an airtight container and eat within a couple of days.

[RavenWing]

I think icing sugar is confectioner's sugar.  It is sugar and corn starch blended together.

[Catriona]

Oh, thanks for the information.

Then I suggest  zappping the granulated sugar in a food processor to make it into caster!

[TracyLynn]

I thought confectioner's sugar was just powdered sugar, didn't realize it had corn starch in it. Ya learn something everyday

[RavenWing]

Yup!  I used to know the sugar:corn starch ratio, but I can;t remember it anymore.

[MDF3530]

You all makin' some for Mama's little baby ?

[Catriona]

MILLIONAIRE'S SHORTBREAD

This treat is loved by children - and although not using a traditional shortbread recipe, it is available in bakery shops all over Scotland.

Shortbread base
8oz plain flour
6oz butter or margarine
4 oz caster sugar


Filling
A large tin of condensed milk
2oz butter or margarine
2oz brown sugar (not the very dark type)

Chocolate topping
8 oz bar of Cadbury's Milk chocolate (it just doesn't taste the same if you use the cookery grade of chocolate)

BASE
Rub the butter or margarine and flour together in a bowl until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Spread the mixture evenly into a lined approx 9 inch square cake tin and prick all over with a fork. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170C/340F for approximately 35 minutes until it is golden brown. Allow the base to cool.

Heat the filling ingredients together in a heavy bottomed saucepan, making sure that you stir it constantly until it begins to simmer. Continue stirring until it thickens (this takes a few minutes). Spread the filling evenly over the base and again allow to cool.

Melt the chocolate so that you can spread it over the filling.
When it has cooled but not set, mark into squares. When fully cooled, remove from the cake tin and cut with a sharp knife

[maggiemahone1]

QUOTE (MDF3530 @ Mar 21 2003, 08:34 PM)

You all makin' some for Mama's little baby ?

Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread!
hey, hey Mike, I remember that one!

maggiemahone1

[free2Bme]

Caster sugar is knonw as "super fine granulated sugar" and can be found in the better grocery stroes such as Kroger's, Publix, etc.

We use it in the south to put in our Iced Tea because it dissolves so much faster!

[free2Bme]

QUOTE (maggiemahone1 @ Jun 26 2003, 12:04 AM)

QUOTE (MDF3530 @ Mar 21 2003, 08:34 PM) You all makin' some for Mama's little baby ? Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread! hey, hey Mike, I remember that one! maggiemahone1

That song is generally attributed to African-American History - I found the lyrics, not politically correct, so I apologize in advance. i don't know who first wrote the lyrics, if it traditional or if someone like Steven Foster or Al Jolson wrote it...

QUOTE

Shortnin' Bread Put on de skillet, put on de led Mammy's gonna make a little shortenin' bread That ain't all she gonna do Mammy's gonna make a little coffee, too Chorus: Mammy's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin', Mammy's little baby loves shortenin' bread. Two little niggers lyin' in de bed One of 'em sick an de odder 'mos dead I sent for de doctor, de doctor said Feed dem chillun' on shortenin' bread. (Chorus) Slipped in de kitchen, kicked off de led, Filled my pockets full o' shortenin' bread. I stole de skillet, stole de led, Stole da gal makin' shortenin' bread. (Chorus)