*Cornish Fairings*
Makes 20

A traditional biscuit from the West Country.  Sweet and spicy, with the added surprise of chopped mixed peel.  Using two sources of raising agents makes the biscuits crack.  Scrummy!!

100g plain flour  (about 3/4 cup)
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp mixed spice
40g of caster sugar (about 1/4 cup)
50g of unsalted butter, chilled and diced ( 3 1/2 TBS)
1 TBS  very finely diced mixed peel
3 TBS golden syrup

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6.  Butter several baking sheets and set aside.

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl along with the salt, baking powder, soda, ginger and mixed spice.  Stir in the sugar.  Drop in the butter and rub it in with your fingertips until it resembles fine bread crumbs.  Stir in the mixed peel and then the golden syrup, mixing it all to a stiff dough.

Using your hands, roll the dough into 20 marble sized balls. Place them well apart on the prepared baking sheets.  Bake for about 7 minutes until golden brown and cracked on top.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for several minutes before scooping off to finish cooling on a wire rack.  Let cool completely and then store in an airtight container.