2. Shortbread

This recipe is fail-safe and incredibly easy. I make it in my food mixer, but you can do it easily by hand. ‘Softened butter’ means soft enough that, when you press your finger into a block, there will be an indent; do not make it too soft or it will melt.

I like to use caster sugar and plain flour, but Jo Sutherland at Carfraemill Hotel in the Borders uses icing sugar and self-raising flour for her fabulous shortbread. Her Granny Joanna MacEwan fro