Christmas Star Biscuits Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the joy of homemade Christmas biscuits to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season. Christmas Star Biscuits, with their delightful aroma and golden crunch, are the perfect treat to elevate any festive gathering. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift, a sweet indulgence to share, or a fun family activity, these biscuits embody the magic of Christmas.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to perfect Christmas Star Biscuits lies in using the right ingredients. Start with self-raising flour, which ensures your biscuits achieve the ideal light and fluffy texture. The addition of cinnamon and ginger not only brings festive warmth but also fills your kitchen with a comforting holiday scent.
When choosing butter, opt for high-quality cold butter diced into small cubes. This is crucial for achieving a flaky texture in the dough. Caster sugar, with its fine texture, blends effortlessly, creating a smooth and even sweetness. A freshly beaten egg ties the ingredients together, while a touch of water, if needed, helps form the perfect dough without making it too sticky. Every ingredient plays its role in crafting biscuits that melt in your mouth while delivering a satisfying crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating Christmas Star Biscuits is a joy in itself, combining simple techniques with a touch of creativity.
Begin by preheating your oven to the ideal temperature to ensure even baking. While the oven heats, prepare your baking trays by greasing them lightly with butter, preventing any sticking and making clean-up easier.
Combine the self-raising flour with chilled butter, rubbing the two together between your fingers. This process creates a breadcrumb-like texture, a key step in producing biscuits with a light, tender bite. Stir in sugar and spices, ensuring every grain is infused with holiday flavor. Add the beaten egg and mix until the dough starts to come together. If the dough feels crumbly, a dash of water can work wonders—but be cautious not to overdo it.
Once your dough is ready, roll it out on a lightly floured surface, ensuring an even thickness of around 5mm. Precision isn’t critical here; the charm lies in the homemade feel. Use star-shaped cutters to craft your biscuits, gently placing them on the prepared baking trays with enough space to expand. Gather any remaining dough, reshape it, and roll it out again to maximize every crumb.
Bake the biscuits until they turn a pale golden hue, checking frequently after the 5-minute mark. Their delicate texture can quickly turn if left unattended. Once baked, let them cool on a wire rack, though their warm aroma may tempt you to sneak one early!
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Ensuring the dough doesn’t stick while rolling:
Sprinkle both your work surface and rolling pin with flour. This small step keeps the dough manageable and prevents unnecessary frustration.
Using alternative shapes if you don’t have star cutters:
Any festive cutter will do—hearts, trees, or snowflakes work beautifully. Get creative!
How to add a festive twist with colored sugar or icing:
Dust the biscuits with colored sugar before baking or drizzle with royal icing afterward for a decorative touch.
Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising flour?
Yes, but you’ll need to add a raising agent like baking powder to achieve the same result.
How do I prevent the dough from becoming too sticky?
Keep the butter cold and avoid overworking the dough. A light dusting of flour can also help during rolling.
What’s the best way to reheat biscuits without drying them out?
A quick blast in a warm oven (around 150°C) for a couple of minutes will refresh their texture.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Christmas Star Biscuits pair perfectly with seasonal beverages. For a cozy evening by the fire, enjoy them with a mug of rich hot cocoa or a glass of spiced mulled wine. For morning treats, serve alongside freshly brewed coffee to brighten the start of your day.
Take your presentation up a notch by arranging these biscuits on a festive dessert platter. Add a handful of dried fruits, chocolate truffles, or candied nuts for variety. You can also pipe decorative icing or sprinkle edible glitter over the biscuits to make them even more enchanting.
Storing Your Biscuits
Keep your Christmas Star Biscuits fresh and crunchy by storing them in an airtight container or biscuit tin. This protects them from moisture and preserves their delightful texture for up to a week. If you’d like to make them in advance, these biscuits freeze exceptionally well. Simply layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a sealed container, and they’ll be ready to defrost whenever you need a quick festive treat.
Christmas Star Biscuits are more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration of the season’s warmth and togetherness. The joy of baking these biscuits, from rolling out the dough to cutting festive shapes, is a tradition worth savoring. Whether you’re making them for family, friends, or a moment of indulgence for yourself, these biscuits are sure to become a cherished holiday favorite. Dust off your rolling pin, preheat your oven, and let the magic of Christmas baking fill your home.
Ingredients
125 g caster sugar
125 g cold butter, diced into 1cm (½inch) cubes (plus extra for greasing)
250 g self-raising flour (US – self-rising flour) (plus extra for rolling out)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
1 egg, beaten
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / gas mark 6 / 400°F. Lightly grease two large baking trays with butter to prevent sticking.
In a spacious mixing bowl, add the self-raising flour, followed by the chilled butter cubes. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Stir in the caster sugar, cinnamon, and ginger, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout. Add the beaten egg and mix thoroughly. If the dough feels dry and doesn’t hold together, add a small amount of water—just enough to form a cohesive dough. Avoid adding excessive water.
Once the mixture begins to come together, bring it into a compact ball using your hands.
Dust your work surface lightly with flour and place the dough on it. Sprinkle a touch more flour over the dough, then roll it out to a thickness of approximately 5mm (¼ inch). Precision isn’t necessary—just aim for consistency.
Using star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out as many biscuits as possible and carefully transfer them onto the prepared baking trays. Leave some space between each biscuit to allow for expansion while baking.
Gather the remaining dough scraps, press them together, and roll them out again. Repeat the cutting and rolling process until all the dough is used up.
Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them after the first 5 minutes; they should turn a light golden color on top and slightly deeper brown around the edges. If in doubt, take them out—they can be returned to the oven if needed.
Once baked, transfer the biscuits to a wire rack to cool completely. They are delightful served warm or at room temperature.
When fully cooled, store the biscuits in an airtight container or biscuit tin. They will stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday snacking or gifting.
Christmas Star Biscuits Recipe
Ingredients
- 125 g caster sugar
- 125 g cold butter diced into 1cm (½inch) cubes (plus extra for greasing)
- 250 g self-raising flour US – self-rising flour (plus extra for rolling out)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / gas mark 6 / 400°F. Lightly grease two large baking trays with butter to prevent sticking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, add the self-raising flour, followed by the chilled butter cubes. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Stir in the caster sugar, cinnamon, and ginger, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout. Add the beaten egg and mix thoroughly. If the dough feels dry and doesn’t hold together, add a small amount of water—just enough to form a cohesive dough. Avoid adding excessive water.
- Once the mixture begins to come together, bring it into a compact ball using your hands.
- Dust your work surface lightly with flour and place the dough on it. Sprinkle a touch more flour over the dough, then roll it out to a thickness of approximately 5mm (¼ inch). Precision isn’t necessary—just aim for consistency.
- Using star-shaped cookie cutters, cut out as many biscuits as possible and carefully transfer them onto the prepared baking trays. Leave some space between each biscuit to allow for expansion while baking.
- Gather the remaining dough scraps, press them together, and roll them out again. Repeat the cutting and rolling process until all the dough is used up.
- Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes. Keep a close eye on them after the first 5 minutes; they should turn a light golden color on top and slightly deeper brown around the edges. If in doubt, take them out—they can be returned to the oven if needed.
- Once baked, transfer the biscuits to a wire rack to cool completely. They are delightful served warm or at room temperature.
- When fully cooled, store the biscuits in an airtight container or biscuit tin. They will stay fresh for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday snacking or gifting.