Mutti's Crisp Butter Biscuits
This is my Grandma’s famous go-to cookie recipe. It’s crisp and chewy, and has a highly addictive flavour.
This recipe is from my Mutti. She would have a jar filled with these, and by that I mean she would ALWAYS have a jar of these. Anyone that knew my grandma would have had some of these - if not, several of these at some point over their relationship. There was many a time that I found myself with Mutti and a plate of these in front of Bold and Beautiful. She hated Ridge’s replacement so much.
These are a butter based biscuit with a soft texture and a moreish after taste. When I worked at the law firm I used to take in baked goods once or twice a week. There was this one lady named Sue in my office, the accounts manager, who never ate any of my baked goods - like never even tasted them. On the second anniversary of my grandma’s passing I took in her crisp butter biscuits, and Sue actually ate them. She actually liked them. My Mutti always had one over on everyone else and she still does.
Among some of my favourite memories of my Mutti, were the times where she would tell our family, me included, that I should not be doing law and I should be opening a restaurant called Spring Thyme. I guess she got me good too. As some of you probably know or have worked out on your own volition, I no longer work an office job. Yes, it’s true I lost my day job, a day after my birthday. What a great present, am I right?! They say one door closes and another one opens. Well this one door got flung wide open and I walked straight through it. I am pursuing a career (yes, career - it’s a profession) in the culinary industry. Someone saw potential in me and offered me an apprenticeship which I have gladly accepted.
You will find me in a kitchen from now until forever. I got my chef whites on. I’m doing my thing finally and it feels like I have come home for the first time in a long time. I am determined to do this and I will make a damn fine chef one day. I guess my grandma knew me a little better than I knew myself.
Makes 12-15 biscuits
The Biscuit
125 g butter
138 g sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
245 g flour
2 g baking/bi-carb soda
10 g baking powder
2 tbs custard powder or substitute for 12 g cornflour, 8 g malt powder and 10 g milk powder
pinch of salt
glace cherries/blanched almond halves/pecan/walnut/choc bits
To make the biscuit
Preheat the oven to 170’C (I use a fan forced oven, check your oven - if Miele 170 on fan plus will work)
Prepare a baking tray with silpat or baking paper
Place butter and sugar in a bowl and cream until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla into the bowl and mix until combined.
Fold in flour, baking powder, bicarb soda and salt. Then add custard powder or cornflour mixture.
Roll mixture into even teaspoon sized balls. Place balls onto the tray with a 2 inch space between balls. Use a fork to press the balls lightly to flatten.
Add nuts, cherries or chocolate in the centre of each biscuit. (I added a spoonful of Biscoff and nutella to some of my biscuits).
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Place on cooling rack and allow to cool.
Notes:
*You can go old school and switch out all the raising agents and plain flour for self raising flour (like my Mutti did in the original, I changed it)
final thoughts…
I was working last Sunday. I was assisting in a French cooking at home class at my new work. There was this one mother and daughter pair in the class. The mother and I were talking. She asked me what I do and I responded very proudly with, I am an apprentice chef here. She was quick to correct me and asked again, no what did you do before this. I told her I was a lawyer and an ecologist. She responded with, well you’ve taken a step backwards, haven’t you? I ask you to reflect on this. I was not in the slightest upset by her response, but I did not agree with it. Since when did law, or any degree for that matter become equated with a greater value than happiness, or greater accomplishment or achievement than other career journeys. It’s funny because I am surrounded by more people who are at the top of their game than I ever have been. I am not saying there weren’t talented people at the law firm or at the ecologist consultancy, what I am saying is that the sheer volume and concentration of talented people is more than I’ve ever encountered in my life time. This is my motivational place, my challenging career and my choice… MY DREAM JOB. It was difficult to say farewell to law, but I can always come back. I just don’t want to. I have found my one thing. I want to be the best and I want to do it forever.
Amelia xx
