Twinkling Star Orange Shortbread Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Beat the butter, then cream it with the sugar and orange zest until light. Stir in the flour and baking powder and mix together to form a dough.
• Divide the mixture into 10 balls, arrange on a baking sheet. Press each ball fl at with the tip of a round-bladed knife. Chill for 15 mins, then bake for 12-15 mins until light golden. Leave on the baking sheet for 2 mins before releasing with a palette knife. Slide onto a rack to cool. Will keep stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Cream the butter with the brown sugar. Add the flour a bit at a time until mixed well.
• Roll out to 1/2-thickness and cut into "ladyfinger"-like slices. Place on a greased pan and bake for 20 minutes or until just beginning to brown. Cool completely.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 160°c conventional/140°c fan forced.
• Beat butter, sugar and orange rind with a pinch of salt in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
• Fold in flours and mix to a soft dough.
• Lightly knead mixture on a lightly floured surface and roll out to 8-10mm thickness.
• Cut mixture with star cutters. Sprinkle each star with a little raw sugar and place on a baking paper lined tray.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until pale golden and firm.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• Serving suggestion:- Melt chocolate and oil together over a pan of simmering water or in microwave and drizzle over stars with a fork.

Steps:

• Mix the flour and sugar first, and then rub in the butter.
• Knead the mixture until it becomes a smooth paste.
• Roll out till about 3/4 inch thick or 2cm thick.
• Cut into rectangles and decorate the top with a fork creating rows of holes.
• Transfer to a greased baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes at 160°C (325°F/Gas Mark 3). They want to stay pale and light golden.
• In warm weather you may want to chill the cookies before baking.
• This recipe can also be used for petticoat tails. Just split the mixture in two and flatten into 7 inch rounds about a half inch thick (1cm). Mark top into 8 portions and decorate with a fork. Bake for 30 minutes.
• To use a shortbread mold: Mix a teaspoon of flour and a teaspoon of caster sugar. Grease the mold with oil and evenly sprinkle half the flour/sugar mix. Press the shortbread into the mold, and turn out onto a baking sheet before baking.