British Savoury Cheese Biscuits

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Cheese Sables Recipe

There’s something timeless about proper British savoury cheese biscuits. Crisp, crumbly and packed with cheese, they’re the sort of snack that disappears fast – especially with a pre-lunch drink or a good glass of red.

This particular recipe has been in our family for as long as I can remember. We’ve always called them cheese sables, but don’t let the French name fool you – these are as British as rugby on a Saturday and roast potatoes on a Sunday.

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Christmas Appetizer

My mum’s been baking these for decades, and they’ve become a bit of a tradition at ours. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them. You’ll usually find them stacked on a plate somewhere near the gin and tonic, just waiting to ruin your appetite before lunch. And trust me, they will.

What I love about these is that they’re dead simple to make, but feel a bit special. The trick is to get that perfect crumb – buttery and light, but not so fragile they fall apart when you pick them up. They should melt in the mouth, with a hit of cheddar that keeps you going back for “just one more”.

They’re also incredibly versatile. Serve them warm from the oven as a nibble, cool them down and pack them into a tin for a picnic, or pile them up next to the cheese board at your next dinner party. We’ve even been known to scoff them on the sofa during the Six Nations – they go surprisingly well with a pint.

savoury cheese cookies — *Ready for the oven*

A great versatile snack

You can play around with the cheese too. We stick with a good strong cheddar, but there’s no reason you couldn’t try them with Red Leicester, Gruyère or a bit of parmesan if that’s what you’ve got knocking about. A pinch of paprika or a few caraway seeds wouldn’t go amiss either.

cheese cookies recipe — *Cheese Sables Recipe – the perfect appetizer*

The important thing is not to overthink it. These savoury cheese biscuits are meant to be rustic, quick to knock together and seriously moreish.

So whether you’re after a Christmas canapé, an afternoon snack or something to impress the in-laws without actually trying, give these British savoury cheese biscuits a go. And be warned – you’ll need to make more than you think. They vanish quickly.

Let me know how you get on in the comments. And if you do manage to stop at just one, I’m not sure we can be friends!

How to make British Savoury Cheese Biscuits

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Yield: 35

Cheese Sables Recipe

This delicious and easy cheese sables recipe gives you some wonderful crumbly savoury cheesy biscuits. These are perfect for your pre-Xmas dinner or Thanksgiving drinks.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

85 g plain flour
85g cheddar cheese, finely grated (or parmesan if you so wish)
85g salted butter
1 whisked egg (to glaze)
Some flaked almonds, crushed

Instructions

Sieve the flour into a bowl. Then turn the butter into the flour with your hands to create a type of crumble.
Then add the grated cheese to the mix and keep mixing until you have a homogenous mix. You can also do this in the food processor if you prefer.
Roll this dough then on a lightly floured surface into a thin roll about 1 ¼” in diameter. Then place this roll into the fridge in grease-proof paper for 30 minutes (or more) to cool down. Do not omit this step - it will not turn out well.
When you are ready to make the cheese biscuits, pre-heat the oven to 190C. Then slice the roll into rounds about 3mm thick (1/8“). Do not cut them too thick.
Place the rounds on a baking sheet and baste them with the lightly beaten egg. Then place some crushed almonds on top.
Place in the oven for approx. 10-15 minutes until golden brown and cooked. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of cheese you use and your oven. Keep an eye on them so they do not burn.

Notes

I make about 35 sables out of these ingredients quantities.

Remember the basic ingredients are one part flour, one part cheese and one part butter, so it is easy to determine your quantities, depending on how many you want.

Make sure you make enough. This quantity goes in an evening in our house!