Tea Biscuits
I can’t say for sure if this is the formal name for these cookies or not. A search for “tea biscuits” brings up hundreds of results. All I can tell you is that my mom made these when I was a kid and I’ve always loved them.
The dough is very simple but the filling adds a nice touch of sweetness. These are good for people who don’t like overly sugary cookies. I’ve always enjoyed these at the holidays but they are truly year-round cookies. I always buy more then one flavor of filling. So in one batch of dough you can have an assortment such as strawberry, cherry, apricot, pineapple, etc.
Ingredients
1/2 lb margarine or butter
8 oz. cream cheese
2 1/2 cups flour
Ready-made pie/pastry filling*Directions
Mix ingredients together thoroughly by hand. Do not use electric mixer. This will take a little bit of time and elbow grease. You can use a little less flour or a smidge more cream cheese if need be.
To make the cookies you need to first roll a small piece into a ball. Then, using your fingers and palms, flatten the dough out to make it round and flat. Press into small 12-cup muffin pans.** They don’t need to be perfect but try to make sure they are mostly uniform in thickness and not too much extra dough at the top.
Add a dollop of filling to each cup. Fill cup around 1/2 full. Too much and the filling will bubble over in the oven.
Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Let cool and then remove. Store in an air-tight container to keep cookies moist.
Makes around 65 cookies.
* I use a specific type that’s only available in select markets or online. It’s called "Baker Cake, Pastry, Dessert Filling." It’s made by Solo Foods/Sokol & Company. In some markets it’s under the name "Bohemian" instead. Where to buy info can be found here: http://solofoods.com/where_to_buy.aspx, via mail order direct, or you can contact them at 800-328-7656. f you can not find this particular brand, other ready-made pie or pastry fillings will work as well. You’ll find it in your bakery isle of your supermarket in cans or jars.
** Each cup measures around 2-3/4 inches across and 1-1/4 inches deep