Grandmas Easter Biscuits

Easter biscuits were traditionally baked and given as gifts at Easter time. This recipe comes from my grandmothers kitchen.. and she baked them every year,

Lightly spiced and speckled with currants they are delicious and make a change from the usual chocolate confections.

75 g (3oz) butter
75 g (3oz) caster sugar
1 medium egg separated
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
50 g (2oz) currants
15 g (½oz) mixed peel
175 g (6oz) plain flour (all purpose)
about 3 tablespoon milk
granulated sugar to sprinkle

• Pre-heat oven to moderate (180℃ (160℃ fan)/350°F/gas mark 4).
• Lightly grease two baking trays.
• Beat butter and add sugar gradually until light and fluffy
• Add egg yolk and beat again until smooth.
• Add currants and peel and stir through
• Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and spice. 
• Gradually fold into mixture to a firm dough
• Tip out mixture onto a floured board
• Roll out to about ¼in  thickness. 
• Use a 3in round cutter to cut out biscuits and place on the trays. 
• Gather up the trimmings, roll and repeat.
• If the mixture becomes difficult to work with, place in the fridge for 15 minutes 
• Lightly beat the egg white 
• Brush the surface of the biscuits with the egg white, then sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
• Place trays into oven and bake for 15 minutes or until a pale gold colour.
• Allow to cool for about 10 minutes on trays before using a spatula to transfer the biscuits to a cooling rack.