You might need a little elbow grease to pipe these beauties, but the result is a gorgeously short, delicate biscuit which just screams Christmas.
Ingredients
Brandy glaze
Method
Main
1.Preheat oven to 180C. Beat butter, caster sugar and grated rinds in an electric mixer until light and fluffy (5-6 minutes). Add flour, almond meal, orange juice and spices and beat to just combine. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 2cm fluted nozzle. Pipe 7cm-diameter wreaths onto baking trays lined with baking paper, leaving 2-3cm in between each to spread, then bake until light golden (12-15 minutes). Cool completely on trays, then transfer to a wire rack placed over a tray.
2.Meanwhile, for brandy glaze, combine ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth and of drizzling consistency (add a little water to thin if necessary). Drizzle a little over each wreath, allowing excess to run off, decorate with silver dragées and red holly sugar beads, stand until set (15-20 minutes). Almond shortbread wreaths will keep stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Note Silver dragées and red holly sugar beads are available from specialist cake decorating suppliers.
Notes