Making Biscuits with Louis

I made biscuits with Louis at the weekend. This always seems like such a great idea at the time. I fancy myself as the perfect 50s housewife, a domestic goddess, rooting through my store cupboard in utter amazement that the ingredients for biscuits are actually there. (I have to look these things up as Joanne is the natural baker on the Heart Breakfast team).

"Louis?" I trill, "Do you want to make some biscuits with mummy?" This even sounds great coming out of my mouth. I managed to say it with the breezy calmness of someone who a) doesn't mind mess and b) knows how to make biscuits. I'm not great at either.

Like his mum, Louis loves eating so this is met with an enthusiastic response. In no time I figure we'll be mixing ingredients and making wholesome memories for us both to savour. I place the ingredients in bowls like I've seen them do on the telly and get louis to stand on a chair so that he can help me rub the butter and sugar together.

I imagine this is a great opportunity for him to get nice and messy but in fact all Louis wants to do now he's at kitchen counter height is make a grab for everything he's not usually able to play with. This includes knives and glasses so these now need to be swiftly removed.

Turns out Louis doesn't hugely like getting his hands dirty so I end up doing most (all) of the mixing part but I hand him the bowl of raisins to tip in. Miscommunication ensues as he thinks I've handed him the raisins as a snack and refuses to be parted with them. As he strides out of the kitchen with them I let it go and finish off making the biscuits myself. I don't want to pick a fight as that doesn't seem very perfect housewife and besides, he's 2 and he'd win.

If you fancy making these biscuits yourself, here's the recipe. I hope you have more help than I did!

  • 220g unsalted butter
  • 175g caster sugar
  • 225g self-raising flour
  • 110g porridge oats
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • few drops vanilla essence (I'd run out and they were great without)
  • 2 tsp golden syrup
  • 2 tsp boiling water

Pre-heat oven to 180c (160c fan). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and caster sugar. Sift the flour and fold in, followed by the oats, baking powder, vanilla essence, golden syrup and water. The mixture should be quite firm, leaving the sides of the bowl when kneaded. Now you can add raisins or broken up pieces of chocolate.

Grease 2 baking sheets. Divide the mixture in to about 20 small balls, then flatten them slightly. Space them out well as they will spread as they cook.

After about 8 minutes they should look pale gold and a bit crispy round the edges. Put them on a wire rack to cool and harden or munch after a few minutes whilst still warm!

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