Have you seen the Great British Bake Off? I love it! An Australian version was short-lived but to be honest the British version really appealed to me. I love learning about the history of cakes and tarts – as a history and all-things-British nerd I find the back-story of the bakes fascinating.
So, one of the show’s judges recently released Paul Hollywood’s British Baking, a beautifully presented hardback book with lovely big pictures. The book is divided into chapters covering the different regions of the UK and the amazing baked goods that come from each area.
I couldn’t wait to make his chocolate chip petticoat tails – a buttery treat studded with dark choc. All the good. Make it. Make it now.
GATHER:
100g butter, diced, at room temperature
55g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
125g plain flour
20g semolina
55 g chocolate chips
LET’S GET TO IT:
Preheat oven to 150C and grease a 20cm fluted tart tin with removable base.
In bowl of electric mixer cream butter and sugar until smooth and pale. Add in flour and semolina and beat until just combined then stir in choc chips.
Do not overbeat, just beat until it comes together as a dough.
Press into the tin – you may think there’s not enough dough to cover the base but there is.
Use fork to gently prick all over, then place tin on a baking tray and bake for 22-ish minutes – you may need a bit longer depending on your oven but don’t overbake it.
Remove from oven then sprinkle with caster sugar, then cut into 8 triangles while still warm.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing from tin.
the hungry mum 
My wife made this. ..it was really good. …..special work?
This looks fab, buttery goodness. I also love the informative baking back stories on The Great British Bake Off.
Isn\t it a great show? I am literally watching it as I type this response!
Ooh this looks so yummy! You absolutely can’t beat chocolate chunk shortbread
choc chunk anything is pretty unbeatable in my book 😉
Looks delish!! I wish I had a slice for breakfast right now 🙂
Shortbread for breakfast? I like the way you think 🙂
I love the great british bake off, shortbread and chocolate. This looks delicious. Yummmyyyy
isn’t GBBO the best? I love it but next week is the final – suspense is killing me!
Yummy.Met Paul when he was in CapeTown years ago he really is a shortie
Cool – I’d love to meet some of my baking heroes.
Yum! And so easy to make 🙂
yep, easy and fast and oh so impressive 🙂
I’ve yet to get this book, but I can’t wait until I do. Your shortbread looks DIVINE!
Oh, thank you! I get sent heaps of cookbooks at work and many are duds butt this one is great – a real keeper.
Oh wow! These look divine!
Why, thank you 🙂 They were very yummy – I may have nibbled at them just a LITTLE bit x
The bake off is a must in our house over the summer. My Fiance loves it and its something I initially got into to give us something to talk about when we first met! However I am a big fan of Paul’s work. His books are great as he really does know his stuff as you would expect. His ‘Bread’ book is a staple in any collection. Nice post as always, looks like you had some fun with it!
He seems to have a lot of cred from bakers and the fact his recipes work (I am amazed at how many celebrity chefs print recipes that are epic fails) speaks volumes. I haven’t seen ‘Bread’ – will have to check it out, even though making bread TERRIFIES me!
I love the name’petticoat tails’. 😛
Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤
Isn’t it quaint? So romantic 🙂
Oh Yum! I feel like reaching into your photo and grabbing a slice. I’m such a sucker for shortbread!
Thanks! I love it too, and am trying to keep it as a year-round treat rather than just for Christmas.
I love all of Paul’s recipes, he rocks! These shortbread with chocolate chips look so appetizing & yum! x
Thanks Sophie. This book is a real winner – so many must try recipes. Love new cookbooks 🙂
I’ve just recently heard of Paul Hollywood – it’s easy to remember his name! I usually don’t love shortbread because of the dryness, but with chocolate? I think I could choke it down!!! Great post!
Thank you! The chocolate adds some moistness not usually found in shortbread.
It’s a pie but it is shortbread but it has chocolate chips… I am SO down for this 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
It is what you might call decadent and totally edible 🙂
mmmmmm very tea time
This would totally work for afternoon tea 🙂
I will admit I haven’t watched the show. But your shortbread looks fantastic, plus it has chocolate!!!!
Sara! Am shocked! I love it – It is so very British, everyone gets on famously and there are never any nasty words from judges – very jolly hockey sticks and all that jazz.
This shortbread looks dreamy! The GBBO is one of my favourite programmes – nothing quite like it! 😀 Definitely need to try this soon – looks lush!
isn’t it great!? LOve the fact that everyone is so supportive and it isn’t a mean reality show. Hope you get to make these soon 🙂
Thanks Jess! In Australia the semi-final of gbbo screened last night – nxt Sun is the final! So nervous for them all.
My super nice boss bought these at the supermarket telling me this was his favourite ever. They were so disgusting that I think I’m going to make your recipe this week end to bring him a real treat! I can’t think how much crap they add to these supermarket cookies and biscuits to make them taste so bad! Thanks for the recipe 😉
haha! Love it! I can’t tell you the last time I bought supermarket bickies – they are so grim. Hope you made these for your boss 🙂
Good gosh, mum. That is just plain unfair to flaunt that chocolate chip cookie while I sit here late at night with no chance to bake one until tomorrow eve. Will have to go that long with your photos on my mind, but no cookie to satisfy what has become a very strong craving. This looks amazing! Do not know the Bake-Off show, but can imagine. Love that it has semolina and is also so flat. Drooling!!!!
Delicious! I used to work with a lady who would always make us the best shortbread. Hehehe I watched the Great British Bake Off too and LOVED it! I’m definitely going to try this recipe! Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party!!
I might make these again tomorrow to take in for my work friends! They vanished v quickly last time 😉