Celebrating Easter with traditional flavors becomes delightful with Mary Berry Easter Biscuits. This recipe offers a simple yet delicious way to make about 24 buttery, spiced biscuits, featuring the warmth of mixed spice and the zesty freshness of lemon. Ready in just under an hour, these biscuits are not only perfect for Easter festivities but also serve as a charming treat for any gathering.
Follow my step-by-step guide to bake these classic biscuits, ensuring a perfect batch every time.
What is Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
Mary Berry Easter Biscuits are a classic British treat, embodying the essence of Easter with their delicate spiced flavor and adorned with currants. These buttery biscuits are traditionally served during Easter celebrations, often flavored with mixed spice and a hint of lemon, making them a perennial favorite.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity: With straightforward ingredients and clear instructions, even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.
- Tradition Meets Taste: These biscuits carry the charm of traditional Easter flavors, making them a hit among all age groups.
- Versatility: Easily customizable, this recipe allows you to adjust spices or add-ins according to your taste.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Easter Biscuits
You need the following Ingredients to make this recipe
- Butter (200g / 7oz): Softened; the key to that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Caster Sugar (150g / 5.3oz): For just the right amount of sweetness.
- Egg (1 large): Binds the ingredients together; ensure it’s at room temperature.
- Plain Flour (300g / 10.6oz): Sifted; forms the base of the biscuits.
- Mixed Spice (2 tsp): A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, offering that signature Easter aroma.
- Currants (100g / 3.5oz): Adds a chewy texture and a burst of flavor.
- Lemon Zest (from 1 lemon): Provides a fresh, citrusy lift.
- Egg (1, beaten): For glazing; gives the biscuits a beautiful golden finish.
- Caster Sugar, for sprinkling: Adds a sweet crunch to the biscuit tops.
Instructions to Make Mary Berry Easter Biscuits
Creating Mary Berry’s Easter biscuits is a journey through simplicity and flavor. Here’s how to bring these delightful treats to your table, step by step:
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
- Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F or gas mark 5). Line two baking trays with parchment paper to ensure your biscuits come off easily after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This introduces air into the dough, making your biscuits light.
- Add the Egg: Beat in the egg to the butter-sugar mixture until well incorporated. If the mixture starts to curdle, add a little flour to stabilize it.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the flour and mixed spice, folding gently to combine. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscuits tender.
- Mix in Currants and Lemon Zest: Finally, stir in the currants and lemon zest, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
Step 2: Shaping and Baking
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 5mm thickness. Using a round cutter (about 7cm in diameter), cut out biscuits and place them on the prepared baking trays.
- Glaze and Sprinkle: Brush each biscuit lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle with a little caster sugar for a sweet crunch.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. The key is to watch them closely to prevent overbaking.
- Cooling Down: Once baked, let the biscuits cool on the trays for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What Do I Serve With Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
Pairing Mary Berry’s Easter Biscuits with complimentary treats and beverages can elevate your Easter celebration or tea time to a new level of delight.
Here are some inspired pairings:
- A Classic Cup of Tea: The quintessential British pairing, a warm cup of tea, enhances the flavors of the biscuits.
- Creamy Hot Chocolate: For a comforting indulgence, serve these biscuits with a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate.
- Artisan Cheese Plate: A selection of fine cheeses offers a savory contrast to the sweet, spiced biscuits.
- Seasonal Fresh Fruit: Brighten your table with a platter of spring fruits like strawberries and grapes to complement the biscuits’ richness.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Easter Biscuits
Achieving biscuit perfection is all about technique and attention to detail.
Keep these pro tips in mind:
- Chill the Dough: Resting the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling can make cutting out shapes easier and improve texture.
- Uniform Thickness: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure consistent baking.
- Monitor the Oven: Ovens can vary, so start checking your biscuits a bit earlier than the recipe suggests to avoid overbaking.
- Spice to Taste: Don’t be afraid to adjust the mixed spice according to your preference. A little more or less can tailor the flavor to your liking.
Variations of Mary Berry Easter Biscuits
Customizing these Easter biscuits can add a personal touch to this beloved recipe:
- Lemon and Poppy Seed: Incorporate lemon juice and poppy seeds into the dough for a zesty twist.
- Almond Delight: Add finely chopped almonds to the dough and a drop of almond extract for a nutty flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle the biscuits with melted chocolate for an extra sweet treat.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter and a suitable egg replacement to cater to vegan dietary preferences.
How Do I Store Mary Berry Easter Biscuits Leftovers?
Storing these biscuits properly ensures they remain delicious for days:
- Room Temperature Storage: Keep them in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining freshness.
- Freezing for Longevity: Freeze biscuits in layers separated by parchment paper in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, perfect for advanced preparation.
- Revitalizing Biscuits: If they soften, a few minutes in a warm oven can bring back their crispness.
How Do I Reheat Mary Berry Easter Biscuits Leftovers?
While Mary Berry Easter Biscuits are best enjoyed fresh, reheating them properly can help restore their original texture and warmth:
- Preheat the Oven: Warm the oven to 150°C (300°F). An oven’s even heat distribution is key to reviving the biscuits’ original texture.
- On a Baking Sheet: Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet, ensuring they’re spaced out to allow even heating.
- Brief Oven Time: Heat biscuits for 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Enjoy Immediately: Serve the biscuits as soon as they’re warmed through to enjoy their best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Value (per biscuit, approximately):
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sodium: 20mg
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free flour for Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
Yes, you can substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make Mary Berry Easter Biscuits suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Ensure the blend is a 1:1 replacement type for the best results. Keep in mind that the texture might vary slightly from the original recipe.
Can I freeze the dough for Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
Yes, the dough for Mary Berry Easter Biscuits can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in cling film and place it in a freezer bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before rolling it out and baking as directed.
What can I use instead of mixed spice in Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
If you don’t have mixed spice, you can create a homemade blend using 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice. This blend closely mimics the warm, aromatic flavor profile of mixed spice traditionally used in Mary Berry Easter Biscuits.
Can I substitute currants with other dried fruits in Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
Yes, you can substitute currants with other dried fruits such as raisins, chopped dates, or dried cranberries in Mary Berry Easter Biscuits. Each alternative offers a unique flavor and texture, allowing you to customize the biscuits to your taste preferences. Ensure that the substituted dried fruits are similarly sized to currants for even distribution in the dough.
Is there a vegan alternative for the egg in Mary Berry Easter Biscuits?
For a vegan version of Mary Berry Easter Biscuits, you can substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg. To make one flaxseed egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens. This substitution not only binds the ingredients together like an egg would but also adds a slight nutty flavor to the biscuits.
Final Words
Mary Berry Easter Biscuits are more than just a treat; they’re a delightful expression of tradition and flavor. This recipe offers a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance, making it an ideal choice for Easter celebrations or any day that calls for a special touch. Enjoy the process, and may your Easter be as sweet and joyful as these biscuits!
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Notes
Cooking Category: Baking Cuisine: British