Maids of Honour

Although not a typical Christmas recipe, this is a favourite for Colin’s children from an old baking book which has been passed down the generations.

Ingredients for 16 to 18 pieces:

For the short pastry:

· 200g of self-raising flour

· A pinch of salt

· 50g of lard (or butter or margarine)

· 30ml of cold water (about 2 table spoons)

· 25g of sugar

For the filling:

· 1 beaten egg

· 50g margarine (2oz)

· 50g caster sugar (2oz)

· 50g self-raising flour

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour and salt together and rub in the fat

2. Use a knife to cut and stir, mix with cold water to form a stiff paste

3. Turn dough on to a floured board or worktop and roll out thinly

4. Cut in rounds and line 16 to 18 patty tins

5. Place a little jam in each

6. Cream margarine and sugar, fold in beaten egg and flour

7. Place a small spoonful of mixture in each pastry case

8. Bake in a moderately hot oven (200 degrees, Thermostat 6) for about 15 to 20 minutes

Additional tip: you can add almond essence to the mixture of margarine, sugar and egg. This will make mini Bakewell tarts. Bakewell is the name of a town in Derbyshire.

This recipe is shared by Colin Kenning