I recently had the privilege of attending my first cookie-swap: With the lovely Ms B and Crafty Ladies Co. Essentially, you and a group of interesting people bake two dozen cookies, take home samples of said cookies and trade recipes for mass reproduction consumption purposes.
Brianna's picture Credit
The custard cookie recipe is a family trade secret. Translated from Afrikaans. Decades old (my Mom’s first cookbook). And made with enough butter to age your arteries several years. So enjoy (occasionally). This dry, not-too-sweet, cookie is a great companion for tea, books and weekend conversation.
Should make 3 dozen cookies.
- 3/4 cup of butter
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/2 cup custard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
1) Mix the soft, room-temperature butter and the sugar till the mixture is light and fluffy
2) Mix in the egg and add the vanilla essence
3) Sift the flour, the corn starch, the custard powder, the baking powder and the salt and mix together. Mix well till a stiff dough is formed.
4) Place the dough in teaspoon heaps on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes at 200 degrees C/ 400 Fahrenheit. (Keep you eyes on these – I found that less time worked better).
Cook and Enjoy.
* As a PS: It’s been a long time since I made these and I stupidly forgot to add the flour (WHO DOES THAT? I’ve baked these bebes since I was a single digit). I made the rest of the Crafty ladies wait till I baked another batch. Their politeness is much appreciated.
Christi & Claire cook 