Posted by Tom / May 28th 2015

Cubeb Pepper Shortbread

Cubeb Pepper's woody 'Christmas tree' aroma makes it a great spice for baking with, particularly at this time of year. Once baked, it loses it's peppery bitterness and takes on a warmer and more complex spicy taste.

Ingredients

4tbsp of ground Cubeb peppercorns

8oz plain flour

2oz caster sugar

6oz butter

Pinch of Salt

Method

Finely grind the Cubeb with a pestle and mortar, pepper mill or spice grinder. Sift the flour into a large bowl and mix in the salt, sugar and ground Cubeb. Add the butter, work everything together with a wooden spoon then knead until smooth.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface until 7-8mm thick. Cut into fingers or shapes of your choice. Place shortbreads on a baking tray covered with baking parchment.

Cook at 150˚c (fan assisted oven) for about 30 minutes until golden. Sprinkle with sugar and ground Cubeb to taste.

Cool before eating