Biscuits aren’t called biscuits in our house. Or even cookies. They’re called ‘mend’. It’s a family tradition of Big G’s. Something to do with his father in an imaginary superhero cape needing ‘mend’ to save the day… their stories are so random I can never keep up but now we’ve adopted the name and a cup of tea just isn’t the same without one or two.
The recipe I have used is adapted slightly from the infamous cookery writer Mary Berry. I wanted a super quick recipe and one that didn’t contain baking powder which can leave a strange after taste. The only additions I have made are the vanilla and honey, and to compensate for this I added another 10g of flour. These are wholesome, light and golden in colour and taste. I sit here with my cup of tea and warm mend while I write and it gives me a lovely warm smile.
ingredients:
50g brown sugar
100g butter
100g porridge oats
60g plain flour
1 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla essence
method:
1. preheat oven to 160C/Gas 3
2. lightly grease a baking tray with a little butter
3. cream together the butter, sugar, honey and vanilla essence
4. add the flour and oats and mix together (I do this by hand but don’t handle it for too long or the butter will melt)
5. flatten out onto a lightly floured surface (this can be a bit tricky as the mixture can get sticky but use a rolling pin, hands and some improvisation to flatten out)
6. cut out rounds using a biscuit cutter and lay them on the baking tray
7. bake in the oven for about 20 mins, turn the tray half way through and avoid browning them off too much
makes: approx 14 biscuits | time: 30-40 mins
recipe: Barefoot Boho adapted from Mary Berry