Meet the Chef and Make Cheese Biscuits

Taking part in the utterly spectacular Great British Bake Off was the most fun you could ever imagine and it has changed my life (cheesy but true). I have been very lucky to have been a rather busy bee since the show finished, spending time with some super talented professionals and learning new skills. I have spent a day with the ever-so-lovely and inspiring master chocolatier Paul Young, I felt like Charlie in the Chocolate factory having won a golden ticket! And I have been on the priceless Hobbs House Bakery Bread Course with the charming, talented Tom Herbert. They have been so generous with their time and knowledge. I am the Mummy of two awesome “peanuts”; nine year old Maisie and five year old Ambrose. This is largely what drives my passion and excitement for baking and food. We always make time to bake together.

I also spend a lot of time working with some really special charities, including Bake a Fortune for St. Catherine’s Hospice and Family Support Work of which I am patron. Here’s one of my favourite recipes for children to make.

Makes about 20 biscuits

Prep time: 30 minutes 

Bake time: 10–12 minutes

These little cheese biscuits are magically quick and simple to make. They are perfect for parties, picnics, snacks and lunchboxes, and are sure to put a smile on people’s faces - charming, in fact.

• 100g Cheddar cheese, grated • 50g plain flour or white spelt flour, plus extra for dusting • 25g wholemeal flour • 25g unsalted butter • 50g Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for sprinkling • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped or snipped

YOU WILL NEED: Food processor; Weighing scales; Cling film; Rolling pin; Cookie cutters (we like these best as little mice, circles or stars); Baking tray; Non-stick baking parchment; Cooling rack

STORAGE: These can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

1 Preheat the oven to 190ºC/170ºC fan/ gas mark 5. Line one or two baking trays with non-stick baking parchment.

2 Put the cheddar, both flours, butter and most of the Parmesan in a food processor and blitz until it begins to stick together and form a ball of dough. This may take a few minutes – so be patient. Add the chives and blitz a bit more.

3 Ask an adult to remove the blade from the food processor, scrape out your dough and roll it into a ball. Then flatten it into a disc, wrap it in cling film and put in the fridge for 15 minutes.

4 Take the dough out of the fridge. Lightly dust your worktop with flour, then roll out the dough until it is about as thick as a pound coin. Use your cookie cutters to cut out your biscuits. Place the shapes carefully on your lined baking tray.

5 Ask an adult to help you put the baking tray in the oven. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden. When an adult removes the cookies from the oven, put them on a wire rack to coo

READ Let’s Bake by Cathryn, with a recipe for every week of the year (Orion)

MAKE Check out the recipe section on Cat’s blog - bakewithcat.co.uk/ category/recipes