Viennese Biscuits: A Delightfully Simple Recipe

Viennese biscuits, also known as Viennese wafers, are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are surprisingly easy to make. Their delicate texture and subtle sweetness make them perfect for an afternoon tea or as a simple treat anytime. This recipe will guide you through creating these elegant biscuits from scratch.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields approximately 24 biscuits. Adjust ingredient quantities as needed for larger batches.

• 125g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter is crucial for a smooth, creamy dough. Don't melt it!
• 75g (½ cup) caster sugar: Caster sugar dissolves easily, providing a fine texture.
• 1 large egg yolk: The egg yolk adds richness and helps bind the ingredients.
• 250g (2 cups) plain flour: Plain flour is essential for the delicate texture of Viennese biscuits.
• Pinch of salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor.
• Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For an added touch of flavor.
• Icing sugar, for dusting: This provides a beautiful finish and adds extra sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preparing the Dough:

1. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. An electric mixer is helpful here, but you can also achieve this by hand with some elbow grease.
2. Add the egg yolk: Beat in the egg yolk until well combined. If using, add the vanilla extract at this stage.
3. Incorporate the dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; a slightly soft dough is ideal.
4. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to handle.

2. Baking the Biscuits:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas Mark 4). Line baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 3mm thickness.
3. Cut out the biscuits: Use a cookie cutter (round cutters are traditional, but you can use any shape you like!) to cut out biscuits. Reroll any leftover dough.
4. Bake: Place the biscuits onto the prepared baking trays and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges.
5. Cool: Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on the baking trays for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Finishing Touches:

Once the biscuits are completely cool, dust them lightly with icing sugar. This adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.

Tips for Perfect Viennese Biscuits:

• Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can result in tough biscuits.
• Chill the dough thoroughly: Chilling the dough prevents the biscuits from spreading too much during baking.
• Watch them carefully: Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the biscuits to prevent burning.
• Get creative with flavors: Experiment with adding different extracts, such as almond or lemon, for a unique twist.

Serving Suggestions:

Viennese biscuits are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with:

• A cup of tea or coffee
• A dollop of whipped cream
• Fresh fruit, such as berries or sliced bananas
• A light dusting of cocoa powder

Enjoy your homemade Viennese biscuits! This simple recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Remember to share your baking creations and tag us – we'd love to see your results! Happy baking!