A very simple family favourite.
I was first introduced to custard cookies on a road trip to Cape Town in 2015. As we reached the Western Cape we stopped at a "padstal". A traditional padstal usually has a baked goods section. When Derwent saw that they had custard cookies his face lit up and he told me stories of how he used to get these cookies every time he went to a tuisnywerheid (home industry) in Pretoria. After the trip, he often said that he was craving custard cookies. So I jumped on the Internet and found a few recipes. Over time I tweaked the recipe and it soon became a family favourite.
If I had to describe a custard cookie, I would have to say that it is similar to shortbread with a thin layer of vanilla icing. The icing can easily be left out when making these cookies.
This recipe makes 40-45 cookies. The recipe can easily be doubled in order to make more of this delicious treat.
Cookie Ingredients:
2 cups Cake Flour
125ml Custard Powder
125g White Sugar
250g Butter (room temperature)
1tsp Baking Powder
1tsp Vanilla Essence
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Cream butter and sugar together. Once the mixture is light and creamy, add in the vanilla essence and mix until well combined.
3. Add all of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and knead until it forms a firm ball.
4. The dough is now ready to be formed into a ball. Using a teaspoon, scoop up a small amount and use your hands to form a ball. Place the ball onto a greased baking tray. Use a fork to gently flatten the ball. Add a bit of flour to the fork in order to prevent it from sticking.
5. Bake for 13-15 minutes. The cookies will feel soft to the touch but will be golden brown on the bottom and firm enough to transfer to a cooling tray. Once the cookies have cooled they will harden.
Icing Ingredients:
I make a simple vanilla royal icing.
1 Cup Icing Sugar
1 Egg White
1/2 tsp Water
1/2 tsp Vanilla Essence
Instructions:
1. Mix together the icing sugar, egg white, and vanilla essence until it is smooth.
2. If the icing is too stiff then add in water and mix until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Dip cookies in icing and let it sit until the icing has set.
Let me know what one of your family's favourite cookie recipes is. Tag me on Instagram if you try this recipe. Don't forget to like this post and keep an eye out for more food and travel posts.
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