Maida Biscuits

This is probably the easiest biscuit recipe you are going to come across: butter, sugar and flour, and that's it I swear! But don't be fooled. Just because this recipe is simple, it doesn't mean that it is not delicious; quite the contrary. I made these biscuits on a whim, I had a craving for something sweet so whipped these up to fill the hole. These biscuits are quite popular in India, they can be found everywhere, and can often be found mixed with spices and nuts such as cardamon, pistachio and cashew. I guess they are the Indian equivalent to the good old British shortbread biscuits. This recipe is great for experimenting as it's soo easy to add anything you like from a bit of lemon zest to a touch of cocoa powder. I decided to simply add a bit of vanilla essence and top with nuts. If you want a richer flavour the secret is in the 'ghee', this is Indian clarified butter and can be bought in Asian supermarkets or in some grocery stores. 


Makes 8 good sized biscuits
Preparation time 40 mins

Recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup melted butter/ clarified butter ('ghee')
1 cup self raising flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
nuts to decorate e.g. cashews halved, flaked almonds, chopped pistachios
icing sugar for dusting

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. Add the icing sugar and flour to a bowl and mix. Then add the melted butter and mix well.

3. The dough should come together. It shouldn't be too crumbly or too  sticky. If you work the dough with your hand you'll know if the mixture is right; if it isn't simply add more butter or more flour.

4. Divide the mixture into 8. Then roll each piece into a ball using your hands and flatten. Be warned that the dough may crack, just try to stick it together if this happens or go for the rustic look if you know what I mean. Top each biscuit with half a cashew nut.

5. Bake in the oven for 12-15mins.

6. Don't eat them just yet, I know it's tempting! Wait for them to completely cool first and then dust them with a little icing sugar.

7. Now you can dig in! Go, go , go!

Source:
Adapted from Vahrevah