INGREDIENTS

• 320g (2-1/2 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting

• pinch of salt

• 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)

• 150 gr (just over 1/2 cup) mascarpone cheese, plus extra for serving

• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract or paste2 tbsp of sugar + an extra pinch for glazing

• 75 ml (1/3 cup) of cold milk + a few tablespoons for glazing

• 1 egg lightly beaten, for glazing

HOW TO

1. Preheat your oven to 200 C, 390 F

2. Put the flour, salt, mascarpone and sugar (if using)  in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Add the milk, then pulse again for 3-5 seconds. Don’t add all the milk at once and you may only need 3/4 of it, depending on the type of flour you use

3. Tip the mixture onto an oven try lined with a sheet of floured baking paper and use you hands to bring it together into a dough. Do not over manipulate to avoid stimulating the gluten in the flour. Only knead lightly for a few seconds just to make the dough smooth and then roll out quickly with floured hands to  about 2cm thick.

4. Use a pastry cutter or a glass to cut the dough into disks. Place them close together onto the baking paper.

5. Make the glaze by mixing a few tablespoons of milk with a little sugar and brush the top of the biscuits with it.

6. Transfer the tray to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until nicely golden. Cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then serve with fresh berries and mascarpone.

Silvia’s Cucina is on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram

Silvia’s Cucina the cookbook is now available in stores and online!