Bishop's Fingers

Sunday 29 July 2018

Bishop's Fingers






Whenever I come across a recipe with a name such as this I am instantly intrigued and here in the UK there is no shortage of recipes with unusual names.  

Think of things like Spotted Dick, or Hollygog Pudding.  See what I mean??? With names like that,  you immediately want to know more!



Bishop's Fingers






Such was the case when I ran across this biscuit recipe that I found in a baking book I have entitled Mary Berry's Baking Bible, over 250 classic recipes. 

Yes, Mary Berry of the GBBO fame. I saw this recipe and I thought to myself  . . . wow, I wonder what is the story behind those.



Bishop's Fingers






I was determined to establish a history but alas, I was unable to find out. 



 I can only think that the recipe must date back to a time in English history when the church was held in very high esteem.

And these were the sort of biscuits (cookie) that might be baked and trotted out on special occasions, especially occasions when the church Bishop might be in attendance! 



Bishop's Fingers






It certainly makes sense as one would want to bring out the very best on just such an occasion and these are certainly the very best! They are also cut into fingers! DUH!




Bishop's Fingers






Crumbly, buttery and sweet, exactly what one would expect from a shortbread type of biscuit.  These are perfect, and even tastier than what I always thought was my best classic shortbread biscuits.  



In fact I would go so far as to say they are as good as my Peppermint Petticoat Tails, and that is saying a lot! 



Bishop's Fingers






I am a connoisseur of short bread biscuits.  I have always loved them.  In fact short breads are not safe in any room that I am in because I will pester them and pick at them, until they are gone.  


I don't think I am alone in that!  I think most people have a fondness for a good shortbread biscuit.



Bishop's Fingers






Sweet and buttery, short almost like pastry, but moreish like a cookie.  Mmmm . . .  I hope you will try these and soon.  


Don't just save them for a special occasion or visitor.  Surely YOU are worth a treat like this once in a while yourself!



Bishop's Fingers






*Bishop's Fingers*
Makes 12 fingers


A delicious shortbread cookie topped with flaked almonds.  Delicious with a hot cuppa. 


100g plain flour (3/4 cup minus 2 tsp.)
25g ground almonds (scant 1/3 cup)
25g semolina (2 TBS + 3/4 tsp)
100g butter (7 TBS)
50g Castor sugar (1/4 cup)
few drops almond extract
25g flaked almonds (1/3 cup)
caster or granulated sugar for dusting  




Bishop's Fingers






Preheat the oven to 160*C/325*F/ gas mark 3.  Lightly butter a shallow 7 inch square baking tin.



Whisk together the flour, almonds and semolina.  Drop in the butter, sugar and almond extract.  Rub together with your fingers until the mixture just begins to come together. Knead lightly until smooth and then press into the prepared pan, smoothing the top over with the back of a metal spoon.  Sprinkle the flaked almonds over top.


Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven until a very pale golden brown.  Mark into 12 fingers with a knife and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.  Leave to cool in the tin.  when completely cold cut into fingers and lift out carefully.  Store in an airtight tin.



Note - if at the end of the baking time the underside is not a pale golden brown, return to the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes.




Bishop's Fingers






Whether you bake these for yourself, or you bake them for the Bishop, or  another special occasion you are sure to love these lovely biscuits.  

I mean Mary Berry . . .  you just know up front that the recipe is a winner!  Pour the tea now and pinkies at the ready
.  Bon appetit!



 Note - I didn't have any semolina in the cupboard today, but I did have Cream of Wheat which is pretty much the same thing, and it worked beautifully!


19 comments

  1. They look really delicious. I must admit my first thought was that they were to be eaten with the beer of the same name!

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    Replies
    1. Fill your boots Jay! Who knows! It might be an incredible combination!

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  2. Aww..I know I ........will........MAKETHESE!

    TY!
    Do you have any of Mary's books Marie?
    I do fancy her:)

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    Replies
    1. I do Monique. One of the first cookbooks I bought myself after moving over here was her book entitled "Merry Berry's Ultimate Cake Book." It has become my gold standard! I think you would love it! xo PS - These biscuits are fabulous!

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  3. I'm looking forward to making these. At first I was dismayed at the semolina flour as this would be pretty much the only time I'd use it, so was especially delighted at your substitution hint of cream of wheat, of which I have in abundance. Thank you so much!

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    Replies
    1. You are going to love, Love, LOVE these Katy! They are soooooo good! You are welcome! xo

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  4. I'm baking these for Sunday afternoon tea ~ today!

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  5. Like you, I'm a sucker for shortbread so consider it printed out and hopefully soon enough. I won't wait too long, I promise!

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  6. The pictures show a much larger pan so I assume you doubled the recipe. Also you used parchment paper in the pan. I subbed corn meal for the semolina. Had to put them in the refrigerator as it is hot here. Will bake them when it cools off tonight. Hope they taste okay.

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    Replies
    1. No, that is not a large pan. It is indeed only the size I said it was. I cannot speak for how they will turn out with cornmeal. I line most of my pans with parchment so that I can lift out the baked good easily for cutting.mHope this helps. -Marie

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  7. The recipe says too add almonds in but then it says put them on top. Which is it?

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    Replies
    1. There are ground almonds in the cookie dough, and flaked almonds on top, so both.

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    2. So basically almond flour then ?

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    3. Yes, you don't want to use the ground almonds that have the skins still on.

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  8. Just discovered this wonderful website and want to make Bishop’s Fingers but I’m confused about the pan. How can it be described as 7” square when in the photos it is definitely not square ? The smallest baking sheet I have is 12x8, very small. Help!

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    Replies
    1. It is a 7 inch square pan, but the camera angle can sometimes make things look different. You only need to look at real estate photos to see how that works! A 7X7 inch pan gives you 49 square inches. A 12 by 8 inch pan will give you 96 square inches. You will need to roughly double the recipe to use the larger pan. Or you can use an 8 inch round pan instead of the 7-inch square pan and cut the cookies into wedges when done, like petticoat tails . My recommendation is to use an 8-inch round pan. I hope this helps. Sorry for any confusion. -Marie

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  9. The Bishops Finger Ale history: Why is it called Bishop’s Finger? After the finger-shaped wayside signposts in Kent (where it’s brewed) that pointed the way for pilgrims travelling to see the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury….maybe there’s a link with to the Bishop’s Finger bis/cake?

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