Farthing Biscuits

Ingredients

• 225g (8 oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 225g (8 oz) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp table salt
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 85g (3 oz) lightly salted butter, plus extra to serve
• 85g (3 oz) lard

Instructions

1. 1
   For the biscuits, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. 2
   In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. Rub in butter and lard so that mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. 3
   Add just enough cold water to bring the mixture together to form a stiff dough (about 5-6 tablespoons). Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
4. 4
   On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a thickness just less than a £1 coin.
5. 5
   Using a 9cm (3½ in) round cutter cut out biscuits from the dough. Prick the top of the biscuits all over to decorate, leaving a plain 5mm/¼in border around the edge.
6. 6
   Transfer to wire racks or baking mesh. Place the racks/mesh on baking trays and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the biscuits are dry but not browned. Set aside to cool completely.
7. 7
   Serve the biscuits with chilled butter.