I have had a long, long love affair with Betty’s.
So long that I can’t even remember the first time I visited one of the Tea Rooms, though I think I’ve visited the ones in York (in particular the little one on The Shambles) most often.
And my love for Fat Rascals knows no bounds. I have to buy one to eat there and then, one for the train and one for when I get home.
And don’t get me started on the chocolate orange version.
So when Betty’s offered to send me some biscuits to review…. I nearly danced a jig around the office I was so excited. Even though I could only have one a day on this marathon training diet, I didn’t care.
It’s Betty’s. Enough said.
The package arrived swiftly and, I have to say very well packaged. So much so that if you’re ordering these as a gift, they’ll arrive safe and sound.
The tins are so very pretty and the design is by Emily Sutton – a Yorkshire based illustrator. I love that though they are a festive bake, the tins aren’t too Christmassy that you couldn’t use them all year round. I know I’ll be using them to keep some of my enormous tea collection safe.
But though the tins are pretty, I’m sure it’s the biscuits you want to know about. And unsurprisingly these are bloody gorgeous.
They’re so good, I actually can’t tell you which ones I loved most.
The Spiced Christmas Shortbread is rich and buttery, and includes ginger and cinnamon, to give it an extra warmth. Perfect for dunking in your cup of tea. Which I did. A lot.
The Chocolate and Cranberry biscuits are a seriously deep nibble, with dark chocolate, orange oil, buttery biscuit and a sharp sweetness from the cranberry just lightening everything off a touch.
Whilst I have to admit to not being a huge fan of fruit and chocolate together, for these I can (will and do) make an exception. In fact both tins were finished off in double quick time, as I put in extra running miles and time in the gym so I could have a second one (and maybe a third).
So, if you fancy a naughty treat over Christmas, are in need of a gift for a friend or family member (or you know, just want to buy me some biscuits), these are recommended. Highly.
In fact, I’m eyeing up a tin of the biscuit selection which I think should sit in my office as a Christmas present to myself…