The posting pattern of this blog is fairly cyclical. Summer arrives in due course and there are desserts-a-plenty. Christmas sees not only a widening on waistlines but also of the site’s content. Any activity in-between is sparse and sprinkled with frantic, sugar-fueled stress. This post is no exception. I first came across a recipe for ginger biscuits when making a Christmas present for my Gran. While they were well-received, the more creative part of me decided  I could do better. After several experimental batches, I present to you Ginger & Cranberry Snaps with a Balsamic Twist. Believe it or not, balsamic vinegar works really well in this instance, not to mention it makes a good conversation starter! Perfect material for when your social life has dried up and the last thing you want to talk about is study. Not to mention, good for attracting fellow students out from their study-dominated hovels to converse with in the first place.

What You’ll Need:

• 180 g Self raising flour
• 120 g Soft brown sugar
• 60 g Butter
• 1 tbs Honey
• 1 Egg
• 50 g Cranberries
• Ground ginger – 2 tsp for a hint, or for ginger lovers like myself, chuck in a heap
• 1 tsp Balsamic vinegar

I’m rather fond of this recipe as it can be done in a jiffy. When those sweet-teeth cravings of mine start tingling, I can be munching on a batch of these within 30 mins. Put the oven on to 200°C Fan. While that’s heating up, sieve the flour into a bowl and then mix in the sugar. Blend the cranberries. Then mix them in too, along with the rest of the ingredients (bar the egg). When they’re all blended together, beat in the egg.

Now you’re good to go. The mixture will be pretty sticky, so coat your hands lightly in flour. Then pinch small pieces of the batter and roll them into little balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and then the rest is fairly obvious!

Leave in the oven for 15 – 20 mins. Remove and place on a cooling-wire. Make yourself a much-needed coffee and by the time that’s made, you’ll be able to stipend some of these for study-munching. There’s hardly any cleaning up involved with these guys either. Win-win!