Jasmine Tea Shortbread

Name: Jasmine Tea Shortbread
Prep time: N/A
Cook time: 15-20 mins

1 March 2016

Tea is such a British institution, that we're practically hard-wired to turn to a cuppa in times of need. It's all because of the theanine in the tea - an amino acid that's well known for its relaxation properties. We can't have a good cup of tea though without recommending a quick biscuit recipe, this shortbread uses tea leaves for flavour.

Ingredients

250g butter

2 teaspoons of Jasmine tea leaves - rub between your fingers to break the leaves up a bit

225g plain flour

4 level tablespoons rice flour

100g golden caster sugar

Extra golden sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

1Preheat the oven to gas mark 5/190°C

2Melt the butter in a saucepan with the jasmine tea leaves and heat through for a minute or so, then set aside to infuse for 10 minutes

3Strain the butter through a sieve into a mixing bowl, then take 1/2 teaspoon of the tea leaves and add back into the butter - place in the fridge to set

4Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl, add the sugar and then work in the cooled butter with your fingertips. Knead well and then roll into a sausage. Wrap in cling film and put into the fridge until firm

5Unwrap and slice into 1/2 inch thick discs. Place them cut side up on some greaseproof lined baking sheets

6Sprinkle with a little more golden caster sugar and bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until a pale golden brown

7Leave on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up and then place on a cake rack to cool, before serving with hot tea and gossip!