Prep 30min (+ 50min 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 butter, cubed and softened slightly
165g (¾ cup) granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons extra to sprinkle
1 egg yolk
335g (2¼ cups) plain flour
1½ tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary (see Baker’s Tips)
1 lemon, rind finely grated
small rosemary sprigs, to imprint biscuits

Method

1. Line 3 large oven trays with baking paper.
2. Use an electric mixer 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 mix). Beat in the egg yolk, rosemary and lemon until just combined.
3. Add the flour to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
4. Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll a portion of dough out on a lightly floured bench top until 4 mm 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 fluted round biscuit cutter to cut the dough into rounds and place on the lined trays, rerolling, imprinting and cutting out any off cuts. Repeat with the remaining portion of dough. Sprinkle the biscuits liberally with the extra sugar.
5. Place the trays in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
6. Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced)
7. 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 center of the oven.

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.