Cheesy shamrock biscuits recipe

Our cheesy shamrock biscuits are an easy treat to bake for St Patrick's Day but you can use the recipe for other occasions too! Simply use a different shaped biscuit cutter like bunnies for easter or stockings at Christmas. The savoury cheesy shamrock biscuits are delicious on their own or paired with more cheese and chutneys as part of a cheese board!

Ingredients

• 300g mature Irish farmhouse cheese such as Ardrahan or Carrigaline, finely grated
• 200g plain flour
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 200g butter, diced
• 2 free-range egg yolks
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Lightly grease 2-3 baking sheets with butter and line with non-stick baking paper.
2. Mix the grated cheese, flour, cayenne pepper, ½ tsp salt and some black pepper together in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub together until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.
3. Stir in the egg yolks with a kitchen knife until the mixture comes together in a ball. Tip out onto a work surface and knead briefly until smooth. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 5mm thick.
4. Using a shamrock-shaped biscuit cutter, cut out the biscuits and place them spaced a little apart on the prepared baking sheets. Re-knead and roll the trimmings once or twice to make more biscuits. Chill for at least 30 mins.
5. Bake for approximately 10 mins or until richly golden around the edges. Remove and leave to cool on the baking tray. Store in an airtight tin once cold.