Biscuits, Biscuits, and More Biscuits!

To think that I didn't know what biscuits were a month ago! When groups come to Ballymaloe we set up tea, coffee, and biscuits. Biscuits being little cakes and cookies. So we had a big group today, one tomorrow, and one monday; so I was on biscuit making duty. Yesterday I had a hard time doubling recipes and making 6 cakes at once but today it went much better. It was nice to see I had learned something, and when I was finishing up today one of the ladies I work with said "You're a great little baker!" I felt proud.

I am babysitting again. This time for four kids because the neighbor's babysitter got sick and I said I would watch them all. They are all in bed and it is 10:30 so I'd say that is a job well done.

Lemon Squares

This is a nice recipe because this cake is so versatile and comes together quickly. For example, you can omit the glaze and cover the cake in raspberry jam and coconut. Make sure not to overmix!

Cake:

6 oz butter, softened

6 oz sugar

6 oz self raising flour

2 eggs

Glaze:

freshly squeezed juice of 1-2 lemons

zest of 1 lemon

4 oz sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-1/2 by 9-1/2 baking pan. To make the squares, whiz the butter, sugar, eggs, and flour in a food processor for a few seconds until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and well risen, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on a rack. To make the glaze, mix the lemon and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves. Pour over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven and let cool. Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.