Problembeginnerreviewed

Christmas biscuits turn rock hard

Also searched as: hard cookies, biscuits gone hard, hard gingerbread

In short: Baked too long or stored open: the biscuits lose moisture, and the sugar in them sets hard.

Picture it

Like bread left out uncovered: the next day it is a brick.

What happened in your kitchen?

Question 1

Were the biscuits already hard straight out of the oven?

Baked too long
Biscuits are thin. Even a minute too long drives out the last of the water.
Next time: Take out when the edges have just set · Let them finish on the tray
Stored open or in a tin with dry biscuits
Soft biscuits give up moisture to the air or to dry neighbours.
Next time: Store airtight and by type · Put an apple slice in the tin
Too much flour when rolling out
Extra flour makes the dough drier and the biscuits harder.
Next time: Roll out between two sheets of baking paper

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Sources · 1