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Candied orange shortbread petticoat tails

Candied orange shortbread petticoat tails

Candied orange adds a sweet citrus twist to this classic shortbread, which was traditionally flavoured with caraway seeds. Explanations of the name “petticoat tails” vary, but one theory holds that the wedge-shaped biscuits resemble the fabric pieces used to make petticoats.

Candied orange shortbread petticoat tails

Serves 12
Cooking Time Prep time 20 mins, cook 45 mins (plus resting, cooling)
230 gm   plain flour
110 gm   rice flour
110 gm (½ cup)   caster sugar
230 gm   butter, coarsely chopped
Finely grated rind   of ½ orange
30 gm   glacé orange, diced
1   eggwhite, lightly whisked
1 tbsp   white sugar


1 Process flours, sugar and a pinch of salt in a food processor to combine, add butter and half the orange rind and process until fine crumbs form, turn onto a work surface and bring together with the heel of your hand. Knead in glacé orange, then roll out on a piece of baking paper to a rough 21cm-diameter round. Trim edges, using a 20cm-diameter plate as a template, then transfer to an oven tray, using baking paper to assist. Pinch with your fingers to form a scalloped edge and refrigerate until firm (30 minutes).
2 Preheat oven to 150C. Brush dough with eggwhite. Combine white sugar and remaining orange rind in a small bowl, scatter over dough, then score halfway through dough to form 12 wedges. Prick dough with a fork, piercing all the way through. Bake until light golden (40-45 minutes), cool slightly, then cut through score marks into pieces and cool completely. Store in a single layer in an airtight container until required. Shortbread will keep for 1 week.

This recipe is from the June 2012 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

RECIPE Emma Knowles & Alice Storey PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Dearnley STYLING Lucy Weight


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