Custard Buttons

Saturday 29 May 2010




Eleven a.m. and I am longing for custard creams. I don't drink tea or coffee, but still partake of the wonderful British tradition of elevensies . . .




That well earned (or not) break in the morning where you sit down with a nice hot cuppa, a moreish nosh or two and put your feet up for a few . . .



There is not a biscuit in the house, except perhaps for a few broken digestives in the bottom of the tin . . . I eat those, but . . . as good as they are . . . they are not custard creams . . . and I want custard creams . . .



Out comes the scales, bowls, and measuring spoons. There is nothing for it but to make my own . . . I know I can do it.

I am like that little train that keeps on chugging up the hill . . . I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . .



Not quite custard creams, but in some ways similar. I may even like these better . . .

Not too sweet, but short and buttery, with just the faintest hint of custard in the moreishly scrummy biscuits . . . the custard flavour coming through in that luciously rich filling.



mmm . . . a mightly tasty crumbily scrummily delicious mouthful. I can't stop at one . . .

and neither will you.



*Custard Buttons*
Makes about 20 double biscuits
Printable Recipe

Deliciously short and buttery with a lucious cream centre, tasting of custard. Fabulous!

6 ounces plain flour (1 1/4 cups)
3 TBS custard powder (you want the stuff that comes in the cardboard
container, not the sachets you add hot water to, you want proper custard powder)
1 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 ounces unsalted butter (4 1/2 TBS), cut into bits
2 1/2 ounces white vegetable fat, such as Trex or White flora (4 1/2 TBS Crisco), cut into bits
3 TBS icing sugar, sifted
1 large free range egg

For the filling:
2 ounces unsalted butter (4 TBS)
1 TBS custard powder
4 ounces icing sugar, sifted (1 cup)
few drops of hot water if necessary

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 5. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment and set aside.

Whisk the flour, custard powder, baking powder and sugar together in a bowl. Drop in the butter and vegetable fat. Rib into the flour mixtue until you have something the consistency of sand. Beat the egg lightly and then stir into the dry mixture, mixing it in well.

Scoop out TBS size pieces of the dough and shape lightly into balls between the palms of your hands. Place about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Press down with a fork which you have dusted in flour each time. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until well risen and set, but not coloured.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.

Cream the butter, custard powder and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Be patient. It will come together eventually and be lovely. If the mixture still seems a bit stiff, add a few drops of hot water and beat until you have the consistency you are after. Sandwich two biscuits together with this custardy filling and then sit back and enjoy!

32 comments

  1. Oh Marie! These are lovely! Now I have to find some Bird's here in NC!
    xoxo Pattie

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  2. like puffs of heaven :) sooooo yummy!
    blessings,
    aimee

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  3. Marie...these look devine! I will be trying them soon. I think perfect for a tea party :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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  4. Must make some of these Marie.The Rooster will loooove them Heeeeeeeee.They sound yummy but I am not a creamy person like him lol!!Or should I say cream doesn't like me.Take Care God Bless Have a great weekend. Kath xx

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  5. Well my friend, this is my favourite Marie post of all time, 'cos these are my favourite cookies of all time!! We call them Melting Moments here, but whatever they're called they are the best!
    Millie ^_^
    P.S. I baked MOTH some cookies for his Leaping Lipids No-Fat Ever Again Diet today. They had wholemeal flour, egg whites, rolled oats & raisins - yep, you guessed it, they were BORING!!

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  6. Well! I was doing fine without Custard Buttons (we call them yoyo's) and now you have made me want them so much!

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  7. I have just said "wow yum" to my screen. They look really really lovely. When the decorating is finished and I have my kitchen back I shall be making some.

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  8. What a delight these look!! such elegant little mouthfuls! Have a lovely weekend with Todd. Lucie xx

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  9. These look delicious! I just want to reach in and help myself to one!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. DIS-gusting Mrs. R!!!! How am I ever gonna get thin with goodies like this and all the wherewithall to hand? Tee-hee, we've missed elevenses but quarter-past-onesies are almost here.

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  11. These are such pretty dainty treats, Marie! I think I'd like these more than custard creams too! Must make these... soon! Happy Weekend, my friend--LOVE YA ((BIG HUGS))

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  12. Yum, I love the way you write - this look too good

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  13. These look amazing! I've had a pot of custard powder in the cupboard for a while now and I was wondering what to do with it. I'm so going to make these next week x

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  14. Those are just darling. Perfect for a tea party!

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  15. Oh Marie, you are naughty!!!

    If I start now I could have them ready by 11... pm!!!

    These look like my coffee kisses but in custard flavour... delicious, I'll have to try them soon.

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  16. I think I'll have to try these puffs. You are a person who inspires (don't ever forget that!)

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  17. I am not keen on the shop versions of custard creams at all. However, these look delicious.

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  18. These are so cute! Just what you need to quench your custard cream cravings!

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  19. I love the name of these - so cute! My Mum used to make something like these too and your photos reminded me of the taste from years ago. Think I'll need to go make some now too ;0)

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  20. These look yummy!!!

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  21. http://www.mrsbeeton.com/index.html This is a website I think you may be interested in, its all about a Britsh women thats famouse for her books and cookery. My mum had a few of her books when she was in Britan in the war and brought them here with her when she moved to Canada.

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  22. Hi I've just stumbled across your website looking for rice pudding but I could not stop reading your other recipes! I'm just wondering for the custard powder, would Bird's custard be alright?

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  23. It would be Birds Custard Powder that I use. The powder, not the ready made stuff.

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  24. You can get Bird's custard powder thru Amazon (I did a while ago for another recipe that called for it.)

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  25. Hello, from the Isle of Wight.
    I found your recipe via Pinterest and made these this morning for my colleagues. They were devine. They really do taste like custard creams but far more attractive looking.
    Thank for an easy and much appreciated sweet treat from a load of frazzled teachers!
    Love Kelly

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  26. Kelly,thank you so very much for taking the time to come and let me know how much you enjoyed these. You made my day! xx

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  27. I had a go at making these today Marie, although mine did not turn out so petite as yours, but they were so yummy, I forgot to look at the recipe again when I was doing my English shop to be sent over and did not realise I needed Trex, so I had to use all butter but worked ok, the custard powder certainly made the cream taste divine. I have posted a picture on my blog http://oohlalacraftyblog.blogspot.fr/

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  28. How lovely Wendi! I will pop over to see them! Xx

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  29. My aunt used to make YoYo's when I was little, I never got the recipe so imagine my delight when I found your post . They are as sublime as I remember, thank you so much. Xx

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  30. They do kind of look like yoyo's Jenny! So glad that you enjoyed! xxoo

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  31. I've made these a couple of times now adding in the zest of lemon or orange. They're absolutely yum!

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    Replies
    1. So happy that they are enjoyed. The addition of citrus zest is genius! xo

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