After taking 12 years to write, edit and publish, the book launch for A Long Way from Misery was more of a celebration than a launch. Nearly 100 people turned out to rejoice with us, buy the book, meet Dad or just say G'day. It was a great day! The biggest hit of the day, apart from Dad, was the Hard Timers Biscuits I'd spent all day Saturday making. They fed everyone at the launch and Dad still had enough left over for smoko. My grandmother baked Hard Timers whenever visitors came to Misery. They were quick to throw together and needed only basic ingredients, but that doesn't diminish the flavour, if the number of people asking for the recipe is anything to go by. I can't take credit for the recipe, my Auntie Pat gave it to me. It's not exactly the same as my grandmother's. She never wrote hers down, but it's close enough that my Uncle Larry recognised the taste after the first bite. 'They're Hard Timers,' he said with delight.
Such a recipe should not go again into hiding. And I'd be in a lot of trouble from all the people I promised it to at the launch if I didn't share it. So here is the recipe for Hard Timer Biscuits. Enjoy, and be thankful for non-stick baking paper and the fact you don't have to stoke up the fire to get the oven hot enough to bake them.
Such a recipe should not go again into hiding. And I'd be in a lot of trouble from all the people I promised it to at the launch if I didn't share it. So here is the recipe for Hard Timer Biscuits. Enjoy, and be thankful for non-stick baking paper and the fact you don't have to stoke up the fire to get the oven hot enough to bake them.
Hard Timers
1/2 cup melted butter or marg
3/4 cup brown sugar
Mix well
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
Sift together and add to mixture
Roll out thinly on floured board and cut out rounds. Bake in 180c oven for approx 10 mins.
1/2 cup melted butter or marg
3/4 cup brown sugar
Mix well
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon bicarb
Sift together and add to mixture
Roll out thinly on floured board and cut out rounds. Bake in 180c oven for approx 10 mins.