The Ultimate Jammy Dodger Recipe: A Guide to Baking Britain's Beloved Biscuit

Jammy Dodgers. The name alone conjures images of childhood, picnics, and that perfect balance of buttery biscuit and sweet jam. This iconic British biscuit is surprisingly simple to make at home, and this guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your homemade Jammy Dodgers are as delicious as the shop-bought ones (maybe even better!).

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe makes approximately 12 Jammy Dodgers. Adjust quantities as needed for larger batches.

For the Biscuits:

• 175g plain flour
• 75g cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp cold milk (or a little more if needed)
• Pinch of salt

For the Filling:

• 100g raspberry jam (or your favourite jam)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Jammy Dodger

1. Making the Biscuit Dough:

• Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Add the caster sugar.
• Cut in the butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips (or a pastry blender), rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. This is crucial for a flaky texture!
• Add the milk: Gradually add the cold milk, mixing with a knife until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing. If the dough is too dry, add a tiny bit more milk; if it's too wet, add a little more flour.
• Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent the biscuits from spreading too much during baking.

2. Shaping and Baking the Biscuits:

• Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Line two baking trays with baking paper.
• Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 5mm thickness.
• Cut out the biscuits: Use a 5cm (or your preferred size) round cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits. Reroll any leftover dough to minimize waste.
• Bake the biscuits: Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking trays, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
• Cool completely: Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before adding the jam.

3. Filling with Jam:

• Choose your jam: Select your favorite jam – raspberry is traditional, but strawberry, apricot, or even blackberry would work wonderfully.
• Spread the jam: Once the biscuits are completely cool, spread a generous amount of jam onto half of the biscuits.
• Assemble the Jammy Dodgers: Carefully top each jam-filled biscuit with a plain biscuit to create your perfect Jammy Dodgers.

Tips for Success:

• Use cold ingredients: Cold butter is key for a flaky biscuit.
• Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will result in tough biscuits.
• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough prevents spreading.
• Cool completely before filling: If the biscuits are still warm, the jam will melt and make a mess.

Beyond the Basics: Adding Your Own Twist

Once you've mastered the classic recipe, feel free to experiment! Try adding different flavour extracts to the dough, using different types of jam, or even dipping the finished biscuits in melted chocolate. The possibilities are endless!

This detailed guide ensures you create delicious, homemade Jammy Dodgers. Enjoy baking and the sweet taste of success! Remember to share your creations and tag us! Happy baking!