Getting ahead for Christmas – Recipe: Star Butter Cookies
Deliciously easy edible gifts are the way forward this Christmas. Why give socks when you can give utterly buttery Bredele biscuits, the classic French Christmas cookie? Pop into a box or recycle a jar and tie with a festive bow for the perfect present for family and friends.
Makes: approx. 80 cookies
Ingredients:
2 medium free range eggs
250g sugar
Half Tonka bean – grated finely with the Microplane Premium Classic Zester
1 lemon – zest grated finely with the Microplane Premium Classic Zester
500g flour
1tsp baking powder (optional)
250g cold butter – grated with the Microplane Elite Box Grater extra coarse blade
For the glaze:
1 egg white mixed with a little water
Method:
- • Mix the eggs and sugar together and add the half tonka bean
- and lemon zest to the mixture
- • In a second bowl, mix the flour and baking powder together
- • Grate the cold butter, add to the flour mixture and knead roughly
- • Add the egg and sugar mixture and knead into a dough
- • Divide the dough in half and leave to rest in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight
- • Preheat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan
- • Sprinkle the worksurface with flour and roll out the dough to approx. 4mm thickness. Use cookies cutters to cut out the desired shape and glaze with the egg white
- • Place on a non-stick tin and pop into the oven for approx. 8-10 minutes
- • Once cooled, decorate with icing and stars
The Microplane® range is available from John Lewis, Borough Kitchen, Divertimenti, hartsofstur.com and independent cookshops nationwide.
