Custard Creams

So, since I have 'got into' baking I have created a wish list of many items that I would like to purchase to aid my cooking ability ( #1 at the moment is a rolling pin, in case you are wondering!) and a very lovely friend of mine posted me a set of cookie cutters that I had been pining for, for quite a while!! They are actually meant for 4 year olds, but me being a trainee teacher and all, I thought I could get away with it! Seriously though, how cool are these?!?

So, what was to be the first biscuit on my baking agenda? The very humble, very dunkable, custard cream!

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Ingredients

Biscuit                                                                      Filling

225g plain flour                                                         50g butter (must be room temp!)

50g custard powder                                                  200g icing sugar

30g icing sugar                                                          2tbsp custard powder

175g butter                                                               1-2tsp cold water

1 tsp vanilla essence (1/2 tsp if you have extract)

1. Sift the flour, custard powder and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly till the mixture is all the same colour. Add the butter and vanilla and using the palms of your hands begin to combine the mixture (it will take a while to combine, but be patient). Roll into a ball and wrap in cling film. Put in the fridge to chill for 30mins.

2. On a floured work surface roll out the biscuit dough and cut out your required shapes. Place these onto baking trays covered with baking paper and chill in the fridge for a further 15mins. At this point, pre heat the oven to 160degreesC. 

3. Put the biscuits into the oven and cook for 15mins. The biscuits will still feel soft in the middle, but will harden as they cool. They should look slightly yellow, but will remain pale. Allow to cool completely.

4. The filling I tend to find is rather hitty/missy so don't be disheartened if you don't get it right first time. Using a wooden spoon soften the butter in a bowl until creamy. Add the custard powder/icing sugar mixture slowly to the butter, stirring constantly. To begin with it will seem that it takes a while for anything to 'happen', but the suddenly your mixture may turn to breadcrumbs. Don't worry - simply add a tiny amount of water at a time until it has got to a pipeable consistency.

5. Pipe the cream onto the biscuits and sandwich together. Allow for the cream to harden for a true custard cream experience.

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A childhood favourite biscuit in a truly childish form! LOVE IT! Have fun with this recipe, but don't go over board with the cream. 

Bon Appetit!!