Valentine Biscuits, Shortbread – yum!
Do you celebrate Valentines? I don’t really, but any excuse to make shortbread I’ll take. This time I’m making it into Valentine Biscuits – they look cute!
You don’t have to use a heart biscuit cutter but they do look super pretty. You could do it by hand and have each biscuit looking a little bit different
And you may want to scoff them all yourself (in Valentine protest), but if you don’t they make great little handmade gifts
Also they are so easy the kids can make them too…. get them at it I say
It really is a quick, easy recipe. Three ingredients – simple (four if you coat in chocolate)
And an 18-20 minute bake make them a perfect, quick and low stress bake – when you’re busy
So Valentines Day – what exactly is it? and why?
Well according to Wikipedia:
Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14.
Originating as a Western Christian feast day honouring one or two early saints named Valentinus, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world.
Although it is not a public holiday in any country
So what is shortbread?
Shortbread or shortie is a traditional Scottish biscuit usually made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour.
Unlike many other biscuits and baked goods, shortbread does not contain any leavening, such as baking powder or baking soda. Wikipedia
Fat to butter ratio yields a lovely soft buttery crumb
Step by step to the perfect shortbread Valentine biscuits
Full details on recipe card at the end of this post
I used a food processor but you can also use a stand mixer or make by hand
Step 1 – Valentine Biscuits
Mix your flour and sifted icing sugar together, then add your butter in cubes with the ‘pulse’ function on a food processor or rub in by hand, until it looks like.
Then tip the mix out on your work surface
Step 2
Using your hands pull the dough together – it will all stick together with minimal work and form a smooth ball
Step 3
Roll out your dough using a rolling pin, until it’s 1/2 – 3/4 cm thick on a lightly floured surface and cut out 12 hearts using a heart cutter, or by hand freestyle. In fact any shape you like really
Place them on a lined baking sheet
Step 4
Pop the baking tray in the fridge so your heart chill, for a minimum of 20 minutes, you want the biscuits really chilled (stops them spreading)
Then bake for 18-20 minutes in your preheated oven, until lightly golden
Remove from the oven and allow to cool
Step 4 – Decorating your Valentine Shortbread
Melt your chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water
When your biscuits are totally cold, dip them in the chocolate, covering half or a third
(I find tipping the small bowl with the chocolate in a little gives you a better chance of covering with chocolate)
Then hold the biscuit over the bowl so the excess chocolate drips back into the bowl
Next using any sprinkles you like pop then along the edge of the chocolate – you can go wild here and do your own thing.
(**** To be honest – apart from aesthetics I’m not sure what the sprinkles really add? They are hard on the teeth and pretty tasteless, so leave them off if you’re not bothered)
Let the chocolate coated biscuits set on a wire rack for an hour or so – until set firm
Once they are set, either tuck in or package up as gifts
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days – enjoy!
So whatever you’re doing for Valentines – enjoy!
If that’s a night out or in with your guy or gal, or if it’s a night out with your girlfriends or kids, just enjoy!
Another Valentines Recipe -Raspberry Cocktail
(Raspberry Nipple Oooo Err)
So Valentines Day approaches….. a Raspberry Cocktail, why not
Super easy and delicious to drink
It also looks quite pretty too
Valentines Biscuits, shortbread
Ingredients
- 80 gram Icing Sugar sieved
- 260 gram Plain Flour
- 160 gram Butter cubed, room temp
- 150 gram Plain or Milk Chocolate Whichever you prefer
- Valentine day sprinkles
Instructions
- Cover a large baking tray in greaseproof paper or baking parchment
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 160C Fan / Gas 4
- In a bowl add the plain flour and icing sugar and mix to combine (or food processor)
- Then add the cubed butter and rub into the flour / sugar mix, until it resembles breadcrumbs (or use a food processor on pulse)
- Turn the mix on to your work surface and pull your dough together with your hands, forming a ball
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll your dough out to approx 1/2 -3/4 cm thick. Using your heart cutter cut out 12 hearts. Place onto a baking tray and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Set aside to cool on a wire rack.
- Melt your chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water, once melted take a biscuit and dip one side in the chocolate. Hold the biscuit and let any excess chocolate run back into the bowl. Add your sprinkles and pop on a wire tray to set
- Repeat for all 12 biscuits - ta-dah 12 beautiful biscuits
Notes
Nutrition
Angela
Great , simple recipe. Tasted fab amd easy to make with children. We doubled recipe as shared them with family. All enjoyed them.
Clare x
So great to hear Angela x Thank you
Jennifer
23/12/24
Looking for a recipe for biscuits to cut into star shapes for the grandchildren on Christmas Eve..Did a trial run with these…they are fantastic!And so easy!
I’m so often disappointed by recipes from internet but NOT THIS TIME!!
THANKYOU.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Clare x
Oh thanks xx
Carolyn
Hi,
I’m looking forward to trying these with a group of cubs for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Just wondering what size cutter did you use? I’ll let you know how we get on 😊
Clare x
8cm x 8cm at its height point and widest point – good luck and please let me know how you get on – I’d love to share some pictures x