Cobweb Cookies

kiwidutch's Note:

We have a system where our children can earn treats by tallying up enough weekly points for eating vegetables, tidying up etc. Baking with Mama is a favourite treat on the list as both my children have sweettooths and are seriously fussy eaters, so sweets in this house are limited. Veggies first! DD got some recipe cards "30 easy things to cook and eat" and this is one of the recipe that we have modified it to suit our tastes. I'm delighted to say that she was keen to do chores so that she could earn enough points to make these. 5 1/2 oz = 160g, 4 oz = 100g, 2 oz = 50g. You will also need a round cookie cutter ( or a clean jar lid) to make your cookies and cocktail sticks to make the decoration. You will also need additional flour for rolling out your dough.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 4 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 24 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 18 cookies

• 5 ½ ounces plain flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 4 ounces butter (cut into small pieces)
• 2 ounces caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

white icing or glaze

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet/ baking tray with baking/parchment paper.
2. Sift the flour, cocoa together and add the small pieces of butter and using clean fingers ( or a pastry cutter) rub it completely into the flour/cocoa mixture so that looks like fine crumbs.
3. Then add the sugar and milk and stir together with a fork so that it begins to form a dough. use clean hands to make your dough into a ball.
4. Wrap your dough in cling film/ plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
5. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
6. Remove your dough from the fridge and sprinkle a little flour onto your clean working surface. Roll out your dough until it is about 1/4 inch ( 5 mm) thick, then use your jar lid or cookie cutter to make circles, which you can then place on your cooking sheet / tray.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then leave them on the tray for another 5 minutes so that they will be firm up enough to remove, after this carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze/ icing.
8. Now draw a spiral of icing onto each cookie and while it is still wet, drag a cocktail stick out from the centre of the cookie to the outside ed"ge to make a spider's web effect.