BakeRecipes
Rosemary & Lemon Sables
Prep 30min (+ 1hr chilling time)Bake 12min (per batch)Makes about 80
Along with lemon, these melt-in-the-mouth biscuits are scented with rosemary’s distinct, yet subtle, earthy and slightly sweet flavour. The clever imprinting of rosemary sprigs of the dough gives a gorgeous finish to these sweet, buttery mouthfuls.
Ingredients
250g (9oz) salted butter, cubed and softened slightly
165g (¾ cup/5¾oz) granulated white sugar, plus 2 tablespoons extra to sprinkle
1 egg yolk
335g (2¼ cups/8¼oz) plain flour
1½ tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary (see Baker’s Tips)
1 lemon, rind finely grated
Small rosemary sprigs, to imprint biscuits
Method
- Line 3 large oven trays with baking paper.
- Use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the butter and sugar for about 1 minute or until starting to become pale and creamy but not too aerated (do not over beat). Beat in the egg yolk, rosemary and lemon until just combined.
- Add the flour to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined and a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disc about 2cm/¾in thick. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
- Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll a portion of dough out on a lightly floured bench top until 4mm/⅛in thick. Arrange the rosemary sprigs over the dough and lightly roll over with the rolling pin to imprint. Remove the rosemary sprigs and reserve. Use a 4.5cm/1¾in fluted round biscuit cutter to cut the dough into rounds and place on the lined trays, re-rolling, imprinting and cutting out any off cuts. Repeat with the remaining portion of dough. Sprinkle the biscuits liberally with the extra sugar.
- Place the trays in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
- Preheat oven to 170°C/340°F (150°C/300°F fan-forced)
- Bake 2 trays of the biscuits in preheated oven for 12 minutes, swapping the trays around half way through baking, or until pale golden and cooked through. Cool on the trays. Repeat with the remaining tray of biscuits, baking in the centre of the oven.
Baker's Tips
- Chopping the rosemary with a pinch of sugar will help bring out its aromatic flavours.
- These biscuits will store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to week.
This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column Bakeproof: Christmas Baking with Fresh Herbs. Click here for more Bakeproof columns and recipes.
Photography by Alan Benson.
