Oatcakes

Give your Christmas presents the personal touch by making homemade oatcakes for loved ones – wrap them up with a selection of cheeses.

Ingredients

• 110g/4oz medium oatmeal, plus more for dusting
• 110g/4oz plain flour
• 55g/2oz lard, dripping or poultry fat
• 1 level tsp salt
• cold water

For the glaze

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp sugar

Preparation method

1. Mix the oatmeal and flour in a bowl. Rub in the fat, add the salt and mix in just enough cold to form a soft but not tacky dough.

2. Roll out the dough on an oatmeal-strewn board. Cut out circles with a scone cutter. Alternatively, cut out a dinner-plate round, and quarter it.

3. Mix together the egg, milk and sugar to form a glaze.

4. Cook the oatcakes on an ungreased medium-hot griddle, without turning them. The moment the first batch are in place, brush them over with glaze – it will turn to a shiny coating as they cook.

5. When fully cooked, remove. Store in an airtight box.