teddy bears' picnic

Aren't these too cute? Have fun baking a batch with your little ones this weekend. Would also be a hot favourite at a kid's birthday party. A big shout out to Australian Women's Weekly! 

Yummm! 

Have a lovely weekend x

Prep Time: 35 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Makes: 12

Ingredients:

200g butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

3/4 cup (165g) caster sugar

1 egg

40g dark eating chocolate, finely grated

1 1/4 cup (175g) plain flour, sifted

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

24 smarties

12 dark chocolate discs/melts

12 ice lolly (wooden) sticks

Method: 

1. Pre-heat oven to moderate. Grease 3 oven trays and line with baking paper.

2. Beat butter, essence, sugar and egg in a small bowl with electric mixer until changed to a pale colour; do not overbeat. Stir in chocolate, sifted flour and cocoa. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. 

3. Roll 24 level teaspoons of the mixture into balls. Roll remaining mixture into 12 large balls for teddy faces. On each tray, flatten four large balls with palm of hand to form an 8cm diameter circle. Position two small balls on top of each circle for ears. Flatten balls with palm of hand. Slide ice lolly stick two-thirds of the way into dough on each face.

4. Position smarties into dough for eyes and disc/melts for nose. Bake uncovered for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on trays. 

Store in an airtight container.