Shortcrust Cheese Stars recipe

SHORTCRUST CHEESE STARS RECIPE

A CHEESY TREAT FOR LITTLE ONES

A real treat for little ones (and the grown-ups, too), these stars are made with shortcrust pastry with a deliciously cheesy tang.

What you'll need

MAKES 20

1. 100g plain flour (plus extra for rolling)

2. 50g unsalted butter, fridge cold and cut into small cubes

3. 175g grated Fortnum’s Reserve Cheddar, plus extra for sprinkling 

4. 1⁄2 teaspoon of paprika

What to do

1. Place the flour and butter in a large bowl and rub them together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the cheddar and paprika. Add a few drops of ice-cold water, then bring the mixture together with your hands until a dough forms, taking care not to overwork it.  

2. Pat the pastry into two discs and place them in the fridge to rest for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas mark 5. 

3. Roll out the first disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to about the thickness of a pound coin, then cut out your cheese stars. Re-roll any off-cuts to make more stars until all the dough is used up. 

4. Line a flat baking sheet with parchment and arrange the stars on top. Sprinkle them with a little extra cheese. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the stars are puffed and golden. Repeat the same process with the second batch of dough.  

5. Once the stars are cooked, transfer them to a wire rack to cool. These are best served warm.

Inspiration

Christmas Pavlova

Puff Pastry Tree