Give the gift of homemade food this Christmas. These Orange Spice Wafers go wonderfully with a cup of tea. To give them as an inexpensive gift, place the wafers in a cellophane bag and tie with a bow. Set inside a tea cup. (Look for unique cups and saucers at garage sales, charity stores and markets.)
If desired, arrange a tea bag or two on the saucer. Place the cup and saucer on a piece of cellophane. Bring up the ends and secure with a small strand of berry garland or a ribbon.
Orange Spice Wafers
Makes 180–200
Ingredients
1 cup (250 g) butter, softened
3/4 cup (165 g) sugar, plus extra for sprinkling (optional)
3/4 cup (165 g) firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 egg
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3 cups (450 g) plain (all-purpose) flour
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon each ground allspice, cloves and nutmeg
Step 1
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars and orange zest until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and corn syrup. Combine flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, allspice, cloves and nutmeg; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Step 2
Shape into four 15 cm (6 inch) rolls; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough overnight.
Step 3
Unwrap and cut into 3 mm (1/8 inch) slices. Place 5 cm (2 inches) apart on ungreased baking trays (baking sheets). Sprinkle with additional sugar if desired.
Step 4
Bake at 200ºC (400°F/Gas 6) for 5–6 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Click here to learn How To Wrap Gifts Using the Furoshiki Technique
