Christmas ghee butter biscuits: a traditional twist with exquisite taste
Christmas is a time when sweet aromas fill our homes. Shortbread biscuits are a classic that can’t be missed this season. By incorporating ghee butter into this recipe, we elevate their flavour and texture even further.
Known for its smooth and deep essence, ghee is a clarified version of butter. It adds a hint of hazelnut. Ideal for a special twist on traditional Christmas biscuits.
Whether to enjoy at home, give as a gift to your loved ones, or to accompany a nice tea or coffee, these ghee butter biscuits are the perfect choice to add that festive and unique touch to the season.
Ingredients for making ghee butter biscuits
- 200 g Easy Ghee ghee butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 egg (optional, for a smoother texture)
- 300 g wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Optional: lemon or orange zest, and holiday spices such as cinnamon or ginger powder
Steps to make ghee butter biscuits
1. Mix the dry ingredients
- In a bowl, sift the flour together with the salt and baking powder. If you decide to add cinnamon, ginger or citrus zest for an extra holiday touch, do it in this step.
2. Whisk the ghee and sugar together
- In another bowl, whisk together the ghee and icing sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and egg (if using) and beat again until well integrated.
3. Fold in the dry ingredients
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the ghee mixture. Use a spatula or whisk to combine until a smooth batter forms.
- If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
4. Form the shortbread biscuits
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it is about 0.5 cm thick.
- Use Christmas biscuit cutters (in the shape of stars, trees or snowflakes) to make the desired shape.
- Place the shortbread biscuits on a tray lined with baking paper, leaving a small space between them.
5. Bake the shortbread biscuits
- Bake the shortbread biscuits for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.
6. Decorate (optional)
- Once cool, you can decorate them with icing, icing sugar or Christmas sprinkles. If you prefer something simpler, a little icing sugar sprinkled on top before serving will also give them a festive and elegant look.
Tips and variations
- Christmas spices. If you like to experiment, try adding a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom for a more exotic and warming touch.
- Nuts or chocolate chips. You can incorporate ground almonds or chocolate chips into the dough for extra crunch and extra flavour.
- Storage. These biscuits will stay fresh for several weeks if you store them in an airtight container. This makes them an excellent homemade Christmas gift.
Ghee butter biscuits are a delicious treat that embodies tradition with a sophisticated twist. Their mild taste, crunchy texture and unmistakable aroma make them a perfect choice for your festive tables or to share with friends and family – give this recipe a try this festive season and let yourself be carried away by their Christmas charm!
