Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits are delightful, festive treats perfect for the holiday season. With their buttery base and a hint of warming spices, these biscuits are ideal for decorating with icing, sprinkles, or chocolate. Simple to make and fun to customize, they’re perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying a hot cup of tea.
What Are Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits?
Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits are traditional shortbread-style cookies with a holiday twist. The recipe includes a buttery dough that can be cut into festive shapes and decorated as desired. Subtle flavors of cinnamon or nutmeg can be added to enhance the Christmas theme, making these biscuits a versatile and timeless treat.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Perfect for the Holidays – A festive treat for Christmas gatherings or gifts.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and quick preparation.
- Fun to Decorate – Great for kids and adults to enjoy decorating together.
- Customizable Flavors – Add spices or zest for your unique twist.
- Keeps Well – Can be stored for days, making them perfect for gifting.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
- All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups or 190g) – Forms the base of the biscuits.
- Butter (¾ cup or 175g, softened) – Adds richness and a tender texture.
- Caster Sugar (½ cup or 100g) – Sweetens the biscuits.
- Egg Yolk (1 large) – Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Adds a subtle flavor.
- Optional Spices (½ tsp cinnamon or nutmeg) – For a festive touch.
- Optional Decorations: Icing, sprinkles, chocolate, or edible glitter.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl – For preparing the dough.
- Electric Mixer or Hand Whisk – To cream the butter and sugar.
- Rolling Pin – This is used to roll out the dough.
- Cookie Cutters – To cut festive shapes.
- Baking Sheets – For baking the biscuits.
- Parchment Paper – To prevent sticking.
- Icing Bags or Squeeze Bottles – For decorating.
Instructions to Make Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
Prepare the Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the flour (and optional spices) and mix until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
Roll and Cut the Biscuits
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll the scraps and cut more shapes as needed.
- Transfer to Baking Sheets: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
Bake the Biscuits
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow the biscuits to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Biscuits
- Prepare Icing (Optional): Mix powdered sugar with a few drops of water or lemon juice to create a thick icing. Add food coloring if desired.
- Decorate: Use icing bags or squeeze bottles to decorate the biscuits. Add sprinkles or edible glitter while the icing is still wet.
- Let Set: Allow the decorations to set before stacking or storing the biscuits.
What Goes Well with Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
- Hot Chocolate – A cozy pairing for the holidays.
- Spiced Tea – Complements the festive flavors perfectly.
- Mulled Wine – Adds warmth and enhances the Christmas vibe.
- Coffee or Espresso – Balances the sweetness of the biscuits.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Makes a delightful dessert pairing.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Christmas Biscuits
- Chill the Dough: Chilling prevents the biscuits from spreading while baking.
- Use Even Thickness: Roll the dough evenly for consistent baking.
- Avoid Overbaking: Remove the biscuits as soon as the edges turn golden for a tender texture.
- Let Cool Before Decorating: Ensure the biscuits are completely cool to prevent the icing from melting.
- Store Properly: Store in an airtight container to keep the biscuits fresh for days.
Easy Variations of Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
- Spiced Biscuits: Add ground ginger, cardamom, or allspice for extra warmth.
- Zesty Citrus Biscuits: Mix in orange or lemon zest for a bright flavor.
- Chocolate-Dipped Biscuits: Dip one half in melted chocolate and let it set.
- Nutty Biscuits: Add finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts for crunch.
- Jam-Filled Biscuits: Create sandwich biscuits with a layer of jam in the middle.
Best Practices to Store Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
- Room Temperature Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freeze for Longer Storage: Freeze undecorated biscuits in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits
- Serve at Room Temperature: Biscuits are best enjoyed as-is and don’t require reheating.
- Oven Option (for crispness): If needed, warm them in a low oven (150°C/300°F) for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
How Can I Make Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits Healthier?
- Reduce Sugar: Slightly reduce the caster sugar in the dough for a less sweet biscuit.
- Use Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
- Add Natural Sweeteners: Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
- Skip Icing: Serve plain or with minimal decoration for a lower-sugar version.
Nutrition Value (per biscuit)
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0.5g
Final Words
Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits are a timeless holiday favorite, combining a buttery texture with festive flavors and endless decorating possibilities. Perfect for family baking sessions or as edible gifts, these biscuits are sure to spread holiday cheer. Customize them with your favorite flavors and decorations, and enjoy the magic of Christmas in every bite!
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Mary Berry Christmas Biscuits
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Makes approximately 20-24 biscuits
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Mary Berry’s Christmas Biscuits are traditional shortbread-style cookies with a holiday twist. The recipe includes a buttery dough that can be cut into festive shapes and decorated as desired. Subtle flavors of cinnamon or nutmeg can be added to enhance the Christmas theme, making these biscuits a versatile and timeless treat.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups or 190g) – Forms the base of the biscuits.
- Butter (¾ cup or 175g, softened) – Adds richness and a tender texture.
- Caster Sugar (½ cup or 100g) – Sweetens the biscuits.
- Egg Yolk (1 large) – Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Adds a subtle flavor.
- Optional Spices (½ tsp cinnamon or nutmeg) – For a festive touch.
- Optional Decorations: Icing, sprinkles, chocolate, or edible glitter.
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the flour (and optional spices) and mix until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
Roll and Cut the Biscuits
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut Shapes: Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Re-roll the scraps and cut more shapes as needed.
- Transfer to Baking Sheets: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
Bake the Biscuits
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow the biscuits to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Biscuits
- Prepare Icing (Optional): Mix powdered sugar with a few drops of water or lemon juice to create a thick icing. Add food coloring if desired.
- Decorate: Use icing bags or squeeze bottles to decorate the biscuits. Add sprinkles or edible glitter while the icing is still wet.
- Let Set: Allow the decorations to set before stacking or storing the biscuits.
