Mary Berry’s 3 Ingredient Cookies, traditionally known as Fork Biscuits, are a simple, melt-in-the-mouth treat often baked for an impromptu afternoon tea. Ideally the butter should be very soft before mixing to ensure the shortbread dough achieves its characteristic crumbly and delicate texture.
Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies Recipe Ingredients
- 100g butter, softened
- 50g caster sugar
- 150g self-raising flour
How To Make Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies Recipe
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 180C (160C fan/Gas 4). Line two large baking trays with non-stick baking parchment.
- Cream the Base: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth.
- Add the Flour: Sift the self-raising flour into the bowl. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to work the flour into the butter mixture until it forms a soft, cohesive dough.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the dough into 16 small balls, each about the size of a large marble (approximately 20g each). Place them on the prepared baking trays, leaving space between each one to allow for slight spreading.
- The Fork Pattern: Dip the tines of a fork into a little cold water. Press the fork gently onto the top of each ball to slightly flatten it and leave a decorative grooved pattern.
- Bake: Place the trays in the center of the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are a very pale golden brown.
- Cool: Leave the cookies on the trays for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Tips
- Butter Quality: Since there are only three ingredients, the quality of the butter is paramount. Use a high-quality salted or unsalted block butter rather than a spreadable margarine for the best flavor and “short” texture.
- The Water Trick: Dipping the fork in water before pressing the dough prevents it from sticking to the fork and ensures the ridges remain sharp after baking.
- Don’t Over-bake: These cookies are meant to be pale and delicate. If they turn dark brown, they will lose their signature melt-in-the-mouth quality and become hard.
- Hand Mixing: For the best texture, avoid using an electric mixer for the final stage. Working the flour in by hand ensures the dough isn’t over-developed, keeping the biscuits light.
What To Serve With Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies
Cookie pairings are elegant additions frequently served as a light refreshment during a busy afternoon. Ideally the tea should be a delicate Darjeeling or Earl Grey to provide a floral, aromatic balance to the buttery simplicity of the fork biscuits.
- A hot cup of Earl Grey or Darjeeling tea
- A glass of cold milk for children
- Mary Berry Lemon Meringue Roulade as part of a dessert buffet
- A small bowl of fresh strawberries or raspberries
How To Store Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies
- Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They are very delicate, so avoid stacking them too high.
- Refrigerate: Do not store these cookies in the fridge as the moisture can make them soft and damp.
- Freeze: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the raw dough balls and bake them from frozen, adding an extra 2 minutes to the cooking time.
Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 115 kcal (per cookie)
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated per cookie based on a yield of 16.
FAQs
While the base recipe is strictly 3 ingredients, Mary Berry often suggests adding the grated zest of half a lemon or 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (replacing 1 tablespoon of the flour) for variety.
If the cookies fall apart instantly, it usually means the butter wasn’t creamed enough with the sugar or the dough was too dry. Ensure the butter is truly soft before you begin.
If you use plain flour, you must add 1 level teaspoon of baking powder to provide the slight lift that characterizes the “fork biscuit” texture.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Fork Biscuits Recipe
- Mary Berry Shortbread Cookie Recipe
- Mary Berry Buttercream Icing for Cupcakes Recipe
Mary Berry 3 Ingredient Cookies Recipe
Description
A classic “Fork Biscuit” recipe using just three store-cupboard staples for a buttery, crumbly finish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Work in the flour until a soft dough forms.
- Roll into 16 balls and place on lined baking trays.
- Press each ball with a damp fork to flatten and create a pattern.
- Bake at 180C for 12–15 minutes until pale golden.
- Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Notes
- This is the original “Fork Biscuits” recipe as featured in “Mary Berry’s Baking Bible.”
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated to get the correct “short” snap.
- If using unsalted butter, add a tiny pinch of salt to the flour to enhance the flavor.
