Are you looking for a fun, festive, and delicious way to celebrate the holidays? Look no further than the Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House! This adorable and scrumptious treat is perfect for sharing with family, friends, or even as a gift. In this article, we’ll show you how to make this treat in two different ways – both easy and delicious. So let’s get started!
Recipe 1: Classic Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 110g caster sugar
- 225g plain flour, sifted
- 110g cornflour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 pack of Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan)/325°F/gas mark 3.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the sifted flour and cornflour, followed by the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix well until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough to about 1cm thickness and cut out shapes for the house using the templates provided in the Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit.
- Bake the shortbread for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
- Assemble the house using the icing provided in the kit. Decorate with any extra icing or sweets as desired.
- Place the battery-operated tealight inside the house to light it up.
Nutritional Information:
Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fat: 12g
- Sugar: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
Cooking Time:
Approximately 30 minutes, plus cooling time.
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
- Icing bag or spatula
- Battery-operated tealight
Serving Suggestions:
Serve as a fun and festive treat at holiday parties, or wrap up as a gift for friends and family.
Variations:
Experiment with different shapes and decorations to make the shortbread house unique and personal. Use different flavored icing for added flavor, or mix in some cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have the Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit, you can use regular shortbread dough and assemble the house yourself. You can also substitute the caster sugar with granulated sugar, or use a plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
Storage:
The assembled shortbread house can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not store the battery-operated tealight inside the house.
Tips:
- Make sure the butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar, or the mixture may not combine properly.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to prevent it from sticking.
- Leave the shortbread to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling the house to prevent it from breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use regular shortbread dough instead of the kit?
A: Yes, you can use any shortbread dough recipe you like. Just make sure to cut out the shapes for the house using the templates provided in the kit.
Q: Can I use a real candle instead of a battery-operated tealight?
A: No, it is not recommended to use a real candle as it can be a fire hazard.
Recipe 2: Vegan Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House
Ingredients:
- 225g vegan butter, softened
- 110g caster sugar
- 225g plain flour, sifted
- 110g cornflour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 pack of Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit (minus the icing)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp plant-based milk
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan)/325°F/gas mark 3.
- Cream the vegan butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the sifted flour and cornflour, followed by the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix well until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough to about 1cm thickness and cut out shapes for the house using the templates provided in the Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit.
- Bake the shortbread for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
- Make the icing by whisking together the powdered sugar and plant-based milk until smooth and thick.
- Assemble the house using the icing. Decorate with any extra icing or sweets as desired.
- Place the battery-operated tealight inside the house to light it up.
Nutritional Information:
Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fat: 10g
- Sugar: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 50mg
Cooking Time:
Approximately 30 minutes, plus cooling time.
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheet
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
- Icing bag or spatula
- Battery-operated tealight
Serving Suggestions:
Serve as a fun and festive treat at holiday parties, or wrap up as a gift for friends and family.
Variations:
Experiment with different shapes and decorations to make the shortbread house unique and personal. Use different flavored icing for added flavor, or mix in some cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have the Marks and Spencer Shortbread Light Up House kit, you can use regular shortbread dough and assemble the house yourself. You can also substitute the caster sugar with granulated sugar, or use a dairy-based butter for a non-vegan version.
Storage:
The assembled shortbread house can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not store the battery-operated tealight inside the house.
Tips:
- Make sure the vegan butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar, or the mixture may not combine properly.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to prevent it from sticking.
- Leave the shortbread to cool completely on a wire rack before assembling the house to prevent it from breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use regular shortbread dough instead of the kit?
A: Yes, you can use any shortbread dough recipe you like. Just make sure to cut out the shapes for the house using the templates provided in the kit.
Q: Can I use a real candle instead of