Wartime biscuits

I found this recipe in a book I got at the tip for a few pence - the WI book of 650 favourite recipes. Teh recipe is followed by this:

Note: This recipe was broadcast over BBC radio in teh early months of the war and was recommended by Mrs Neville Chamberlain (then the PM's wife) as a good sugar saver.

Golden Syrup biscuits

10z butter or margarine
2 tbsp golden syrup
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
4 oz self-raising flour

Put the fat and syrup into a heavy-based saucepan and warm until the fat has melted. Remove from teh heat and mix in the bicarbonate of soda and vanilla essence, then beat in the flour.
Roll out the mixture until safer thin and cut into shapes with biscuit cutters. Place on greased baking sheets and bake in a preheated cool oven (150C/300F/Gas mark2) for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Makes 30


They're not bad little biscuits, and other flavourings could be added to ring the changes.