I was desperate to do some baking, feeling thoroughly inspired by 'The Great British Bake Off' again, so I decided biscuits were the order of the day - not too complicated, and not at all time-consuming. This variation on the shortbread theme are the next biscuits on the list, so I've tried to stick to my programme of bakes...ish. These are actually very similar to the shortbread biscuits I've already made, both in terms of ingredients, process and end result. The main difference is the inclusion of almond within the mixture. The dough contains both ground almonds and almond extract, so I was expecting a really almondy flavour. I was disappointed. Again I encountered a vague instruction, with only the principle of 'doing everything by the book' to guide me. So, 'a few drops' of almond extract (yes, extract, so therefore potent) was what I put in - the equivalent of a cap-full. It smelt very nice, and I just trusted that with all the almondy ingredients, almond would be the predominant flavour. As it happened, even with the almonds on top, they really just tasted like shortbread, so if I made them again, I'd put a lot more almond extract in. Texture-wise, they were a bit crunchier than the shortbread, having the traditional biscuity 'snap' I like. I will make them again, as they were so straightforward, and there's something so satisfying about kneading biscuit dough!
Baker's verdict: easy to make; disappointed with the lack of almond flavour!
Husband rating: 8/10 - very tasty, very buttery, good texture. Would like to be able to taste the almond though.
