Recently, I was reviewing an excellent soon-to-be-released cookbook, Mary Berry's Baking Bible: Revised and Updated: With Over 250 New and Classic Recipes, and ran across a recipe for Fork Cookies. I was intrigued since these cookies are vintage and only need five ingredients. So I made them; the dough was too dry to scoop and roll into balls, and there was way too much salt. So I changed the recipe to conform to my tastes, and present the following shortbread-like cookies with a subtle lemon flavor.

These cookies are perfect for tea, and, while nothing very fancy, are now delicious. They are perfect for the cookie jar, since they keep well.

Makes 3 dozen

1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
finely grated rind of 1 lemon

2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

3 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Cream the butter, sugar, and lemon peel until light; place a fine strainer over the mixture and measure the flour, salt, and baking powder into the strainer.
3. Shake the mixture through.
4. Mix on low speed until well mixed.
5. Add the water and mix until the dough holds together.
6. Scoop tablespoons onto a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheets; roll them into balls.
7. Using a fork, press each ball down.
8. Bake 15-18 minutes or until the cookies just start to brown on the sides.
9. Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Store in an airtight container.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 86 Calories from Fat 47
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 54% Protein 4% Carb. 41%

Nutrient Amount per % Daily
Serving Value
Total Fat 5 g 8%
Saturated Fat 3 g 16%
Cholesterol 14 mg 5%
Sodium 114 mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 9 g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0 g 0%
Sugars 3 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% Iron 1%