Christmas wreath biscuits to hang on the tree
Prep: 30 min · Cook: 15 min · Makes: about 25 wreaths · For:
There is something magical about a Christmas tree with homemade biscuits hanging between the baubles. These little wreaths are buttery and crumbly, with a crunchy topping of almonds and sugar, and a hole for a ribbon so you can hang them on the tree, in a window or on a branch.
They are also a lovely little gift: a few wreaths in a paper bag, tied with the same ribbon.
Tips
- Keep the dough cool. Warm dough is sticky and the rings lose their shape.
- Make the hanging hole big enough; it shrinks slightly as the biscuits bake.
- Thin satin ribbon in red, green or gold looks festive and threads easily.
Little helpers
Children can rub in the butter, cut out rings, poke the ribbon holes with a straw and scatter the toppings. Threading the ribbons is a great job for patient fingers.
Ingredients
- 250 g plain flour
- 175 g cold butter, in cubes
- 100 g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- grated zest of half an unwaxed lemon (optional)
- a pinch of salt
- 1 egg, beaten (half for the dough, half for brushing)
- 30 g flaked almonds
- 2 tbsp nibbed sugar or demerara sugar
- thin ribbon or gold thread, for hanging
Method
- Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, salt and lemon zest.
- Add the vanilla and half of the beaten egg and knead quickly into a smooth dough. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4) and line two baking trays.
- Roll the dough out to about 5 mm thick. Cut out rounds with a 6 cm cutter, then cut a small hole in the middle with a 2 cm cutter or the wide end of a piping nozzle, to make rings.
- Use a straw to make a small hole near the edge of each ring for the ribbon.
- Brush the rings with the rest of the egg and sprinkle with the almonds and coarse sugar. Press them on lightly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until pale golden. If the ribbon holes have closed up, open them again with the straw while the biscuits are still warm.
- Cool completely on a rack, then thread a ribbon through each one and tie a loop.
Questions
How long can they hang on the tree?
If you want to eat them, hang them for a day or two at most and keep them away from radiators, dust and pets. Store the rest in an airtight tin.
Can I make them without nuts?
Yes. Leave out the almonds and use only coarse sugar, or decorate with icing and sprinkles after baking.
The holes closed up in the oven. What now?
Reopen them with a straw or skewer straight away while the biscuits are warm and soft. Once cold, they will crack.
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