Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

As Valentine's Day is just around the corner, these shortbread biscuits are aptly heart-shaped, but you can go with any other non-romantic, regular or even unusual shape, as you see fit. In any case; sweet, buttery shortbread, combined with chocolate is always a winner. They are also so quick and simple to make and would make a really fun baking activity with children. Let them go crazy with the sprinkles, hundreds and thousands, writing icing etc. and create their own little edible masterpieces! My sister made these not long ago at a family wedding and every time I visit the lovely Ariel House, they serve up delicious chocolate-dipped heart shortbreads too. So, I felt it my duty to try them out for myself and share them with you!

This recipe makes approx. 25 - 30 biscuits, dependent on your biscuit cutter

Ingredients:

• 125g butter (softened)
• 55g caster sugar (plus a little extra to top your biscuits)
• 180g plain flour
• A pinch of salt
• 150g chocolate - I used rich milk chocolate

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees C/375 degrees F/gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with some baking parchment.
2. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and cream well.
3. Add the flour and salt and mix through, knead lightly and allow to rest in the fridge, wrapped in cling film for a half an hour (if you don't have fridge time, just crack on to step 4).
4. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out half of your dough to a thickness you like. Mine are generally about 5 mm thick and remember that their size and shape will not alter during cooking.
5. Cut out your biscuits and drizzle a little extra sugar on top. Then place the biscuits on the baking tray.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the rest of your biscuit dough.
7. Bake in the oven for 13 - 15 minutes or until just golden.
8. Allow the shortbreads to sit and cool on a wire rack.
9. Melt your chocolate, dip and dunk your biscuits to your heart's (see my little wordplay there?!) content and return the chocolately biscuits to the wire rack to dry and harden.
10. Boil the kettle, put the feet up and enjoy!