Cornish Fairings

These are lovely little spiced biscuits made from storecupboard ingredients that are wonderfully easy to make, and definitely even easier to eat! The mixed peel could be swapped for crystallised ginger for an even punchier little nibble with your cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 100g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 tsp mixed spice
• 30g caster sugar
• 50g butter, chilled and cut into cubes
• 1 heaped tablespoon chopped mixed peel
• 80g golden syrup

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C and grease two large baking sheets
2. Weigh the golden syrup directly into a medium to large saucepan, and put on a very low heat until it is warmed through and runny
3. In a large bowl, sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarb, mixed spice and sugar
4. Add the butter and rub in using your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, periodically shaking the bowl to bring any remaining lumps of butter to the surface
5. Stir in the mixed peel, then pour the flour mixture into the syrup saucepan and bring together with a knife into a stiff dough
6. Take heaped teaspoons of the mixture and quickly roll them into balls using your hands, then plop them onto the baking sheet before they stick to you. Make sure that the balls are well spaced, as they can spread a surprising amount during baking
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until golden brown, turning halfway (However this will depend on your oven, so keep a keen eye on them to stop them burning!)
8. Once baked, leave the fairings to cool on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely - if they make it that far!