English Snaps Recipes

BRANDY SNAPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160 fan/ gas mark 4 and two baking trays with baking parchment.
• Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan and heat gently until the butter and sugar have melted. Put the flour and ginger in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the lemon zest and juice and the brandy. Pour in the butter mixture and gradually beat it into the flour until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Use a teaspoon to dollop 3 - 4 heaps of mixture onto the prepared baking tray. A heaped tsp is enough for a cigar and two heaped teaspoons is enough for a basket. Space them well apart as they will spread. Cook in batches for 8 - 10 mins until set, golden brown and lacy in appearance. Do not allow to go too dark as they will taste bitter. Leave for a minute before shaping - the snaps should still be pliable but set enough to move without tearing.
• You can shape the brandy snaps into cigars or baskets. To make cigars, oil the handle of a wooden spoon and wrap the brandy snap around. If you have a long handle or more than one spoon, you can do a few at a time. The base of the biscuits should be the bit that touches the spoon so that the top 'presentation' side of the biscuit is seen. Transfer to a cooling rack. To make baskets, oil the base of small ramekins or narrow tumblers and drape the biscuits over them. The top of the biscuit should touch the base this time as this is the bit you'll see.
• Pipe whipped cream into the cigars or use the baskets or cones for ice cream and berries. If not using straightway, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

BRANDY SNAPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, combine flour and ginger with a whisk. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and golden syrup; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in flour mixture.
• Using a 2/3-ounce ice cream scoop, drop three level scoops of batter onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until flat and golden brown, about 10 minutes, rotating halfway through.
• Remove from oven and let cookies cool just slightly until firm, about 2 minutes; place each cookie over an inverted drinking glass or wrap around the handle of a whisk, using your hands to press and gently shape. Let set 30 seconds. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat process with remaining batter.

THE ULTIMATE GINGER SNAP

Steps:

• Preaheat the oven to 150C or gas mark 2.
• Add the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat together till the mixture becomes soft and creamy in texture. Add the golden syrup and mix well.
• Using a sieve, shift the flour, ground cinnamon and ginger into the mixture. This will make sure that the mixture remains smooth and not lumpy.
• Once mixed, use a tablespoon to scoop up individual portions and roll into a loose ball. Gently press to flatten (but not completely) on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 25 - 30 mins. Allow to cool before removing from the baking tray.

ENGLISH GINGER SNAPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream the butter and the sugar. Sift in the flour with the baking soda and add the salt. Mix together the ginger, cloves and cinnamon and set aside. Beat the egg, vinegar, spice mixture, molasses and flour into the creamed butter.
• Using your hands, shape the dough into balls one inch in diameter. Place them an inch apart on a baking sheet. Slightly flatten the balls with the wet prongs of a fork. Press again, with the prongs at right angles to the mark already made on the cookies, making a crosshatch pattern. The cookies should be about one-half inch high. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for five minutes. Then remove them with a spatula and cool on a rack.

GINGERSNAPS

Steps:

• Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses. In another bowl, whisk together the next 6 ingredients; gradually beat into creamed mixture, and mix well. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 4 hours., Preheat oven to 350°. Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; roll in additional sugar. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets., Bake until edges are lightly browned and tops are set and starting to crack, 8-10 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.