If you are looking for bitesize melt in the mouth shortcakes, then this guide is definitely for you. The recipe is based on a handful of ingredients and a bit of mixing; after that, watch the little beauties come to life in the oven while marvelling in the aroma they create. They're straightforward to make and don't take that long to bake either.
Getting started.
Tip: Remember to remove the BUTTER from the fridge 30 minutes before baking so that it has had enough time to soften up.
To start with, pre-heat your oven to one of the following settings:
- 180°C - Fan Assisted
- 190-200°C - Conventional Oven
- Gas Mark 4/5
- 356F
Ingredients:
- 225 Grams or 8oz Unsalted Butter (Softened)
- ½ or 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract (Based on personal taste)
- 85 Grams or 3oz Icing/Confectioners Sugar (Extra Grams of Sugar will be needed to dust with.)
- 55 Grams or 2oz Cornflour/Cornstarch
- 175 Grams or 6oz Self Raising Flour
- Strawberry/Blackcurrant or Raspberry Jam (Personal Preference - I used Strawberry)
Equipment:
- Hand Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Scales
- Measuring Spoons or Teaspoon
- Sieve
- Spatula
- Ice Cream Scoop
- Wooden Spoon
- Muffin/Cake Cases
- Muffin Tins
Method:
1. Weigh out the Softened Butter and place it into a mixing bowl.
2. Measure out the Vanilla Extract with a measuring spoon or teaspoon and place it in the bowl.
3. Whisk the Vanilla & Butter together using your hand whisk (on medium speed) until it's very soft. Then sift in the icing sugar and beat thoroughly.
4. Next, weigh out the Cornflour/Cornstarch and Self Raising Flour and then sift into your mixing bowl.
5. Use a spatula to combine the ingredients together.
6. When it starts to bind, use your electric whisk to blend the mixture into a smooth paste.
7. If it is soft enough, you can pipe into the cases using a star nozzle or grab an ice cream scoop for the easy solution. Add one level scoop of filling to each cake case.
8. Once they are all filled with what looks like ice cream scoops, make an indent in the centre of each filling with the end of a wooden spoon to create a dip in the centre. (This makes a dip while baking, which is needed for the jam later).
9. Place the tins in the oven for approximately 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Once baked, remove from the oven place the shortcakes still in the tins onto a wire rack. Leave them there for approximately 15 minutes. They are really delicate at this stage so do not under any circumstances start touching or removing them from the tin. Leave them alone and go and make a cuppa tea!
11. After the 15 minutes have elapsed, carefully and delicately remove the shortcakes out of the tins and leave them to cool fully on a wire rack.
12. Lightly dust with icing/confectioners sugar and then place a spoonful of jam in the centre of each cake.
13. Eat on the day they're baked.
14. Enjoy with a pot of tea.
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