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Creating biscuits

Pewter tin of Cressing biscuits lined with greaseproof paper. Autumn leaves. Grey background. For Cressing biscuits recipe.

Cressing is a village in Essex close to Cressing Temple, a manor granted to the Knights Templar in 1136.  It is not clear why these crunchy sweet biscuits are associated with either the village or the manor and there is no suggestion of any historical connection.  Given that the biscuits contain raising agents introduced in the mid nineteenth century it is likely that they were invented by either a local baker or housewife in the latter half of that century.

Equipment

  • Weighing scales
  • Baking sheet
  • Food processor
  • Sieve
  • Cooling rack

Preparation method

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4.
  • Grease the baking sheet with lard.
  • Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into the bowl of the food processor.
  • Add the fats and process until you have the consistency of coarse breadcrumbs.
  • Add the oats and sugar and process until fully combined.
  • Place the syrup in a small cup, add the hot water from the kettle and whisk until the syrup has melted into the water.
  • Pour this mixture into the ingredients in the food processor and process.
  • Check the mixture and if it makes a stiff dough in your hand, it is ready. If the mixture is too crumbly to make a dough add a little bit more water and process again.
  • Form the dough into 14 walnut size balls and place, well-spaced, on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.
  • Transfer to the cooling rack and allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

More oat biscuit recipes
Honey oat cakes
Oatcakes

Victorian

Serves:
14
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 120 g plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 60 g unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
  • 60 g lard, chilled and cut into small cubes
  • 170 g rolled oats
  • 85 g caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp hot water
  • 1 tbsp golden syrup

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creating biscuits
Serving Size
 
37 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
173
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
8.8
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
 
13
mg
4
%
Sodium
 
136
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
34
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
22
g
7
%
Fiber
 
1.2
g
5
%
Sugar
 
7.4
g
8
%
Protein
 
2.3
g
5
%
Calcium
 
5.4
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.6
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

Baking, biscuits, Oats

© Dr Caroline Gordon 
2026
Illustrations by Chichi Parish
Site by Anselm Eustace