Eat * Bake

Raya Shortbread Biscuits

Hari Raya is just around the corner and I can imagine some of you are already taking out the pots and baking tins and whisking away! I've already baked a couple of sugary delights for the big celebration that is the first day of Syawal, but the one recipe I want to share with you, which i find the most fun to do, is an easy shortbread biscuit recipe topped with a bright coloured icing. I can guarantee everyone, especially children will appreciate these rich biscuits so give it a try! Fair warning in advance, it is quite sweet.

Ingredients:

(Shortbread)
150g butter
100g caster sugar
275g flour

(Icing)

150g icing sugar, sieved
Food colouring, preferably pastes

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Work in the flour with a wooden spoon or electric or rotary beater.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough using a rolling pin until it is smooth and with a thickness of around 1cm. Cut into desired shapes (dipping the cutter into flour as you go) and place onto a well greased baking tray. Leave a little space between biscuits.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until shortbread is golden in colour and remove from oven and leave to cool.
4. Put a couple of tablespoons of hot water into a large bowl, add the sieved icing sugar and mix together, adding more water as you need to form a thick paste. Colour as desired. Make sure you ice the shortbread when they are cool and if the icing is too watery, add more icing sugar.