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Whittingham Buttons

Posted 1st March 2017 in

Description

I came across this recipe when giving AGA instructions for ‘The National Trust Complete Traditional Recipe Book’.  They are delicious and originate from Whittingham in Northumberland.

These biscuits get their short texture and yellow colour from the addition of custard powder.

Makes 16

Ingredients

  • 175g (6oz) soft butter
  • 85g (3oz) icing sugar
  • 175g (6oz) plain flour
  • 55g (2oz) custard powder

Method

Cream the butter and sugar together very thoroughly until light and fluffy.  Add the flour and custard powder and mix to form a firm dough.  Break off small pieces, the size of a walnut, and roll into a ball with your hands. Place on the cold plain shelf lined with Bake-O-Glide.  Flatten slightly and mark the holes of a ‘button’ in the centre of each biscuit with a skewer.

3, 4 and 5 oven AGA:  Cook in the centre of the Baking Oven for about 10-15 minutes, turning once if necessary, until lightly golden.

2 oven AGA:  Place the baking sheet onto the oven grid shelf set on the floor of the Roasting Oven with the cold plain shelf on the third set of runners down.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes, turning once if necessary, until lightly golden.

Cool on a wire rack or use the AGA toaster.  Store in an airtight container.

These biscuits freeze well.