Lockdown Almond & Orange Slice

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25 August 2021 BY Julie Biuso
SERVES: Makes 18 slices

Here's an easy slice similar to a shortbread, with a hint of cinnamon and orange and a nutty top. It'll keep for several days, though you'll probably eat it before then!

Ingredients

150g (5 oz) unsalted butter, softened ¼ cup caster (superfine granulated) sugar 1 cup standard flour, plus extra for pressing out ½ tsp ground cinnamon Finely grated zest ½ an orange A little beaten egg white, for glazing ¼ cup slivered almonds ½-1 Tbsp caster (superfine granulated) sugar

Method

1 Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a Swiss roll tin (jellyroll pan, 22cm x 20cm / 8½” x 8” or similar) with baking (parchment) paper (or make a paper case to sit inside a shallow tin, securing the edges with paper clips).

2 The butter should be very soft, but not oily. Put butter in a bowl and beat with a hand-held electric beater until smooth (or whiz in a food processor then transfer to a bowl). Slowly beat in sugar and continue beating until lighter in colour (creamed). Sift flour and cinnamon over the top and add orange zest. Work together with a rubber spatula until mixture is smooth.

3 Press into prepared tin with floured fingers, making it smooth. Brush with beaten egg white and prick with a fork. Sprinkle over almonds and a little sugar.

4 Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden. Cool in the tin or paper case for 10 or so minutes and mark into squares while still warm. When cool, transfer to an airtight container.