blueberry fingerprints

April 23, 2007 at 12:52 am | Posted in Cookies, Fruit | 14 Comments

why settle for snacks from the vending machine when i can bring freshly baked cookies from home? tonight i decided to make blueberry fingerprints; my smart-alecky rendition of jam drops/thumbprints. i used my middle finger to make the indentations on the cookies, hence the name. (yes, i realise i’m trying to act smart here)

adapted from donna hay’s modern classics 2

180g butter, softened
1 cup caster sugar
1 egg
2 cups plain flour, sifted
1/2 tsp baking powder
jam of your choice to decorate

1. preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius. place the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy. add the egg and beat well. stir through the flour and baking powder and mix to a dough.

2. roll 2 teaspoonsful of the mixture into balls. (i made bigger balls; if mixture is too soft, refrigerate for a few minutes before shaping) place onto a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper, allowing room for the biscuits to spread. press a finger into the middle of the dough to make an indent.

3. place jam in a small bowl and zap in the microwave for a few seconds to liquify it. fill the hole with jam. bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. add a little more jam to the holes while the biscuits are still hot. cool on wire racks.

these cookies have a solid buttery taste, which complements the jam. there is a balance of textures; they are crisp at the edges and become slightly softer as you move into the centre. perfect with a glass of cold milk. (as it is for all cookies)