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Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Easy and tasty three ingredient shortbread recipe ready in just over half an hour
Shortbread is a beloved Scottish treat said to date back to Mary Queen of Scots, and a simple three-ingredient recipe now makes it easy to enjoy year-round Shortbread has long been a cherished part of Scottish heritage, with its buttery, crumbly texture beloved for generations. Legend even credits Mary Queen of Scots with its creation, and it remains a staple of Hogmanay celebrations to this day. But there's no rule saying you can't enjoy it in the summer, too, and now, an easy homemade recipe could help you do just that. Culinary experts at Taste of Home have shared a fuss-free recipe requiring just three simple ingredients and a little over half an hour of your time. Better still, the recipe yields four dozen shortbread fingers, perfect for sharing, or not. Submitted by Rose Mabee from the town of Selkirk in Manitoba, Canada (a fitting name for a Scottish-inspired bake), the recipe calls for: 500ml of softened butter 250ml of packed brown sugar Between 500g and 600g of all-purpose flour To make it, preheat your oven to 180°C and cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 450g of flour and mix well. Tip the dough onto a floured surface and knead for five minutes, gradually adding the rest of the flour until you have a soft, workable dough. Roll it out to a half-inch thickness and cut into strips, 3 inches by 1 inch is ideal, or get creative with circles or triangles. Prick each piece with a fork, place them an inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool before serving, if you can keep any hands off them, and enjoy with a hot cup of tea or coffee. If you're feeling adventurous and want to add a twist to the classic, food creator Dee, of Dee & Sweets, has turned heads with her indulgent cinnamon roll version of shortbread. The bars have all the buttery richness of a traditional shortbread base, layered with a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with vanilla frosting. Dee's creation has quickly become a favourite among foodies for its clever combination of comforting flavours and beautiful presentation. Cinnamon roll shortbread recipe: For the crust: 225g butter, softened 150g caster sugar 1 tbsp vanilla extract 312g all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt 1 tbsp demerara sugar For the filling: 55g butter, softened 100g brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract For the frosting: 55g cream cheese 112g butter 125g icing sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract Start by preheating your oven to 175°C and lining a 9×9 inch baking tin with greaseproof paper. Cream together the butter and sugar for the crust until light and fluffy, then mix in the vanilla. In another bowl, combine the flour and salt, then add to the wet mixture in stages, mixing until just combined. Press two-thirds of the dough into the tin, saving the rest for later, and chill the base for 15 to 30 minutes. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes until just turning golden and set it aside to cool slightly. Meanwhile, mix the filling ingredients into a soft spread. Spoon the cinnamon mixture over the base and spread evenly. Roll out the reserved dough and tear into flat clusters, loosely placing them on top to create a lid. Sprinkle demerara sugar on top and bake again for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. While it cools, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla together until smooth and creamy. Spread over the bars once they've cooled slightly, slice into squares, and serve. Whether you stick to the classic or try the cinnamon twist, shortbread remains a timeless treat that proves some traditions never go out of style.
The South African
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
United States issues updated travel warning for South Africa
The United States has updated its travel advisory for South Africa, adding new warnings about terrorism risks and tightening security protocols for US government employees. While the country remains at Level 2 – 'Exercise Increased Caution''' – the enhanced advisory reflects growing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The updated guidance, issued by the US Department of State on May 27, now includes a warning about the risk of terrorist violence in South Africa, although it does not identify any specific threats or groups. In addition, travelers are being urged to remain vigilant in urban centers after dark and avoid traveling outside major metropolitan areas at night due to heightened crime risks and road safety concerns. US officials working in South Africa now face stricter movement restrictions. They must secure special authorisation to enter certain township areas near Cape Town and are required to use armored vehicles during limited visiting hours. The travel update comes just days after a contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 21. Trump cited alleged attacks on white farmers and accused South Africa of enabling a so-called 'white genocide' – claims that have been widely debunked. President Ramaphosa pushed back, stating that while South Africa faces serious criminal challenges, violence is not racially exclusive. 'There is criminality in our country,' Ramaphosa said. 'People who do get killed, unfortunately through criminal activity, are not only white people. The majority of them are black people.' The South African leader also reaffirmed that land reform efforts are aimed at addressing historical injustices, not racially motivated land seizures. This advisory is the latest in a series of developments straining US-South Africa relations. In recent months: The US cancelled development aid to South Africa to South Africa Offered asylum protections to white Afrikaner groups Expelled South Africa's ambassador following public criticism of President Trump. The upgraded travel guidance now appears to reflect a hardening US posture towards South Africa amid the political fallout. Despite the advisory level remaining at Level 2, the US government's updated stance suggests travelers should exercise greater vigilance, particularly in high-crime areas and during night-time travel. Government employees face restricted access to certain regions, underscoring US concerns over security and political stability. The long-term impact of the diplomatic spat remains to be seen. Analysts warn that if tensions escalate further, it could affect bilateral cooperation on trade, security, and regional development. For now, South Africa remains open to American travelers, but the message from Washington is clear: caution is advised. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
