Biscuit baking essentials

Biscuits are often the perfect thing to brighten up a cup of tea, give the coffee break a special lift, finish fruit or creamy desserts with a flourish, and make a visitor feel especially welcomed. Make it easier for yourself by following our special biscuit-baking tips.

Click here to view 10 of our best biscuit recipes in this mouth-watering slideshow

• Wrap dough and chill before rolling out. This makes the dough easier to roll and cut out and helps it 'rest' to prevent shrinkage. If the dough after rolling has softened too much to cut out successfully, place on a baking tray and chill a further 15 minutes. It helps to dip biscuit cutters frequently into flour to help prevent them sticking to the dough.

• Rolling is made much easier if done between two sheets of plastic wrap or baking paper. This way extra flour is not needed and it makes for less handling which results in a more delicate result.

• If biscuits are to be pressed out, dip the fork frequently into cold water to prevent it sticking to the dough.

• Two baking trays are necessary for most biscuit making, along with at least one metal-bladed spatula for removing from the tray. One or two wire racks will be needed for cooling the biscuits to ensure they can cool without overlapping to help them keep their shape.

• Always preheat the oven. The placement of the trays during baking is important. Heat should circulate around trays. During baking turn the trays sometimes to compensate for uneven baking.

• Baking trays should always be cold before placing the uncooked biscuits on so they will not lose their shape. Baked and cooled biscuits and cookies should be stored in airtight containers and fragile wafers should be stored in layers separated with greaseproof paper.

• To be sure biscuits are cooked properly, check by turning, underneath should also be pale golden.

• When making pinwheel biscuits it is important to roll dough up very tightly, removing paper as you roll. If well chilled the roll should cut easily into slices.

YOUR SAY: What are your favourite biscuits to bake? Do you have any great tips to share?