Chocolate blackberry bear biscuits

Autumn time instills in me a great urge to bake. Growing up in my Grandma's garden, every autumn meant going to the orchard, searching through the windfalls on the ground, reaching to pick damsons, going

blackberry picking down the back of the lanes. There were jams, chutneys and endless pies, crumbles, sponges; wonderful things for dessert. We have only just moved in and although I am sat dreaming of the fruits we might have next Harvest, we are fortunate to have a wonderful blackberry patch just round the beck way.

It was only when moving, I discovered we had a bear shaped cookie cutter - and decided to put it to use! I had heard about the nut holding bear biscuits and decided to make a twist on them, using blackberries together with chocolate dough. They taste a cross between shortbread and bourbons, the blackberries go beautifully!

We experimented a little. When you cook the blackberries in the oven they shrivel slightly, but are more likely to stick. But more often it was easier to press the bears' paws together so that they might stay in place while cooking, and apply the blackberries after, with a little dab of chocolate icing. 

For the first time, Oscar was involved throughout the whole process! He adored picking the blackberries and didn't even mind the brambles and thorns, pushing them aside squeezing in to small places where only a child might fit. Of course, that's where the juicy ones hide! He pulled his chair to the kitchen side and had fun poking holes in the dough and sneaking bits when we weren't looking. Funnily he kept saying 'dough-nut'! 

I used this recipe from Vintage Frills as I love trying vintage recipes, baking the same treats people used to eat all those years ago; I find it so interesting! Here is what you will need to make them

115g butter

115g castor sugar

1 egg

230g plain flour

1/4 tsp salt

2tbsp cocoa powder

a jar of blackberries

a little chocolate icing to secure the blackberries

Pre heating the oven to about 180 degrees, begin by beating the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until light in colour and smooth and creamy. Sift all the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl to remove any lumps. Beat the egg until it is thick and light and gradually stir in the egg and dry ingredients in to the main mixture, kneading it until it forms a dough. Use a rolling pin to flatten it to about one or so centimetres thick, then use your cookie cutter to press out little bear shapes, folding and pressing their paws together.

Pop them on the baking tray and in to the oven! Set a timer for about 7-10 mins and keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Meanwhile, prepare your blackberries by giving them a lovely wash in the sink! Dry them carefully with kitchen towel and use a little dab of chocolate icing to secure them in place on the biscuit.

This recipe makes so many, I had to put the leftover dough in the fridge for another day! I'm thinking of using my cookie cutter to make some little bear holding ornaments for when the festive season rolls around. Have you been baking for fall? Let me know what you're making and do leave your links for me to check out! ♡