Sugar Free Biscuits for Special Occasions

It’s nice to make biscuits for special occasions, especially if you have a friend or relative who has to avoid eating sugar. It is always a great surprise on a big day when someone has made a special effort.

Here are several sugar free recipes that provide a treat at just the right time. They can all be made in advance and can be stored for a few days in an airtight container.

Happy Birthday Biscuits

For this recipe, letter stencil cutters will be needed. If you can’t find any, try buying children’s modelling clay cutters - as long as they haven’t been used they will work just as well!

Ingredients:

• 250g (9oz) plain white flour
• Three tbsps honey
• 150g (5oz) butter
• One tbsp baking powder
• One tsp ground allspice

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F/gas mark four. Melt your honey and butter in a small pan over a low heat. Sieve your flour, baking powder and allspice into a bowl. Roll into a dough, wrap in cling film and place in the fridge to chill for an hour or so. Then lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out to about one and a half cm thick. Cut into shapes spelling out “Happy Birthday“ and your friend‘s name, using your letter cutters.

Place on a lightly greased tray and bake in the centre of the oven for about 10 minutes. Remove and leave to cool. Arrange carefully on a plate before the big day.

Sugar Free Hearts

These biscuits will make a perfect gift for your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Try presenting one in a box tied up with a ribbon.

Ingredients:

• 250g (9oz) plain white flour
• Three tbsps sugar free apricot jam
• 150g (5oz) butter
• One tbsp baking powder
• One egg
• One large bar diabetic dark chocolate

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F/gas mark four. Beat your butter and sugar free apricot jam together in a large bowl. Then beat your egg separately and mix in. Sieve your flour and baking powder into the bowl. Roll into a dough. Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out to about one and a half cm thick.

Cut into small heart shapes - or one large heart shape. Place on a lightly greased tray and bake in the centre of the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and leave to cool. Melt one or two squares of dark diabetic chocolate per heart and spread over each biscuit. Allow chocolate to harden.

New Year Biscuits

• 125g (4.5oz) butter
• 250g (9oz) plain flour
• Three tbsps granulated sweetener (check manufacturer’s instructions)
• One egg, beaten
• Small metal horseshoe shape

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F/gas mark four. Cream your butter and granulated sweetener together in a bowl until light and creamy. Beat your egg separately then add to the mixture. Sieve your flour and baking powder into the bowl. Roll into a dough. Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out to about one and a half cm thick.

Using a cookie cutter, cut into circular shapes. Press your horseshoe shape on to each biscuit. Place on a lightly greased tray and bake in the centre of the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and leave to cool. Give to your friends at New Year to wish them luck for the next 12 months.