Jumble Biscuits Recipes

JUMBLE BISCUITS

Steps:

• Line two large baking trays with baking parchment.
• Place the caraway seeds in a spice grinder or a pestle and mortar and grind to a powder. Sieve the caraway, flour, aniseed and mace together into a bowl.
• Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar and lemon zest. Add the eggs and bring the mixture together to form a soft dough.
• Divide the dough into four balls weighing 65g/2½ and four balls weighing 85g/3oz (you might have a little leftover). Place the dough balls on one of the prepared trays, cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
• Knead the four smaller pieces of dough on a lightly floured surface and roll using your fingertips into a 30cm/12in rope. Knot into double knots and place on one of the lined trays.
• Shape the remaining four larger pieces of dough into long ropes and cut away a quarter of each rope. Lay out (as pictured) into Celtic knots, using the reserved dough to make the rings that sit on top. Place them directly onto the other lined tray. (The double knots will take an extra 5-10 minutes longer to bake, so don't mix shapes on the baking trays.)
• Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake the Celtic knots for 15-20 minutes, until golden-brown and the double knots for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

JUMBLES

Steps:

• Grease two baking trays. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with a wooden spoon until soft, but not oily. Add the sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Sift and add the flour. Add in the grated lemon rind and the almonds.
• Form the mixture into three rolls, each about 1/5 inch wide. Cut these into 4 inch long pieces, and form them into 'S' shapes.
• Place on baking trays. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until risen and pale brown. Cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

SPICE & VANILLA JUMBLES

Steps:

• Grease 2 large baking trays with butter and set aside. Put the flour and sugar in a bowl then stir in the beaten egg, mixed spice and vanilla. Add 50ml of water and begin to knead the mixture with your hands to bring it together, you want a firm dough so if it's still quite crumbly add a bit more water, 1 tbsp at a time until it comes together in one piece.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Tip the dough out onto a floured work surface and chop up into either 12 or 24 pieces (depending on whether you're making large or small ones). Put a large pan of water on the hob and bring to the boil. Roll each piece of dough into a sausage shape and make into a knot, twist or plait before lowering it into the boiling water. Leave in the water for a few seconds and when it rises to the top scoop out with a slotted spoon, shake off any excess water and put on the prepared tray. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
• Bake the jumbles for 20-25 mins or until golden then leave them to cool on the tray before transferring them to a plate or board. Dust with icing sugar before serving if you like.