Take these cookies to a bake sale or school fete and they will be gone in a flash! They are super speedy to make in a food processor but can also be made using a free standing mixer such as a Kitchen Aid or with hand beaters.
These were a hugely popular with our small customers at 'Caracoli' Coffee shops., and the recipe originally came from there.
Makes 20 good sized cookies
Ingredients
250g slightly salted butter, diced and at room temperature
150g golden caster sugar
6 tbs golden syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
360g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
340g pack of Smarties
Method
Cream the butter and sugar in a food processor until pale and fluffy, add the golden syrup and vanilla.
Sift the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda together, then add to the sugar mixture. Whizz to a dough, then tip the dough out onto the work surface. Knead lightly to combine and shape into a large flat disc, wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 1 hour. You can chill the dough for longer or freeze it, but bring it come back to room temperature before you roll it out.
Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ 400F/Gas 6.
Lightly flour the work surface and roll out the dough, it should be about 1cm thick. Use a large round cutter to cut out the cookies. Re roll the scraps and continue until all the dough is used up.
Arrange the cookies, well spaced, on the baking sheets and bake for 12 - 14 minutes until golden and slightly risen.
Remove from the oven and press the Smarties into the cookies while they are still very warm. Leave for 5 minutes and then using a palette knife transfer these to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve straight away.