Treat yourself to a delightful Yorkshire classic! These fat rascals are bursting with the goodness of dried fruit and warm spices, making them an irresistible sweet treat perfect for a cosy cuppa.
cold, cut into cubes
zested
zested
beaten
halved
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment.
In a food processor, combine the plain flour, self-raising flour, and cold butter. Blitz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can rub the butter into the flours by hand.
Transfer the flour and butter mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the baking powder, caster sugar, mixed dried fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Add all but 1.5 tablespoons of the beaten egg to the mixture and stir until just combined. If the dough appears too dry, gradually mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until you achieve a soft dough, similar in consistency to scone dough.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Take each portion and press it into a thick, round disc, approximately 3-4 cm thick.
Place the shaped dough rounds onto the prepared baking tray. Brush the tops of each rascal with the remaining beaten egg to create a glaze.
To decorate, place two halved glacé cherries on top of each rascal to resemble eyes. Then, horizontally line up three blanched almonds about a centimetre below the cherries to create a mouth.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the fat rascals are cooked through and golden brown. To check for doneness, tap the bottom of a rascal; it should sound hollow.
For an extra burst of flavour, you can soak the mixed dried fruit in a tablespoon of orange juice or a little brandy for 30 minutes before adding them to the dough.
Ensure your butter is very cold when you start, as this helps create a light and crumbly texture.
Fat rascals are best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the oven for a warm treat.