Skibo Castle Ginger Crunch

I’ve been lured into a recipe once again because of its intriguing name. This one jumped out at me from a book – the Gourmet Cookie Book: Single Best Recipe from Each Year: 1941-2009, which I ordered last year and which arrived the week after Christmas, and so I never did look at it, and then grabbed it on the way out the door to flip through on my lap last weekend during a leisurely drive to Banff. My mission: to choose a few cookies to make for our upcoming bake sale and cookie exchanges. Yes! I’m going to have one – sorry to leave you hanging. I have deets.

I narrowed it down to a few, from this particular book at least. I made some Nutella brownies that are different, texture-wise, from every brownie I think I’ve ever made. In a good way. I added toasted, roughly chopped hazelnuts and dried cherries – the real kind, not the maraschino kind.

And although I brought both to the same place, thinking that the brownies would be the hands-down winner, everyone went a little nutso for these crisp, buttery ginger cookies, made with good powdered ginger that gave them a sort of pepperiness you wouldn’t get from fresh.

It’s Scottish; a thin, cooked-till-golden layer of shortbread (made with ginger), topped with a layer of melted butter, icing sugar and Lyle’s (or Rogers’) Golden Syrup (made with ginger), but is so much more than shortbread topped with icing. Über simple, totally inexpensive, makes lots. They kind of break into shards, but it’s kind of endearing, so you don’t really have to worry about them breaking. They’re totally unassuming – not fancy at all – but totally yummy. Everyone made a point of commenting about these. Especially the guys. They’re not greatgrandmotherly at all.

Skibo Castle Ginger Crunch

AuthorJulie

Yields1 Serving

Shortbread base
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
Topping
1/3 cup butter
1 Tbsp. Lyle's or Roger's Golden Syrup (British cane sugar syrup)
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. vanilla

1

Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13" metal baking pan.

2

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, ginger and salt and blend in the butter, working it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan (it will be thin) and bake until golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.

3

Just before the shortbread is done, melt the butter in a small saucepan and whisk in the golden syrup, icing sugar, ginger and vanilla. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 seconds.

4

Remove shortbread from oven and pour topping over, tilting pan and using a spatula to cover it evenly. Cool in the pan, then cut into small rectangles or break into shards.

Ingredients

Shortbread base
 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
 3 Tbsp. sugar
 1 tsp. baking powder
 1 tsp. ground ginger
 1/4 tsp. salt
 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
Topping
 1/3 cup butter
 1 Tbsp. Lyle's or Roger's Golden Syrup (British cane sugar syrup)
 1 cup icing sugar
 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Skibo Castle Ginger Crunch

.

Share

About Julie

You May Also Like

86 comments on “Skibo Castle Ginger Crunch

  1. Laurie from Burnaby
    December 2, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Oh, yum yum yum! Ginger shortbread with a golden syrup icing! How wonderful! I’m totally making these! D)

  2. Laurie from Burnaby
    December 2, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    That’s supposed to be a big grin 🙂

  3. Tannis
    December 3, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Hey Julie,
    I am keen to come to the cookie exchange! Your other events looked like so much fun I was kicking myself for not attending. Thanks for being you, you are truly awesome!
    Tannis 🙂

  4. Jessie
    December 3, 2011 at 2:17 am

    Julie!!! I’m in and will bring Oatmeal choco chip/toffee bits cookies!!!

  5. Helene
    December 3, 2011 at 6:45 am

    That is such a different name for a dessert recipe. I wonder if I decorate them with cranberries for the Holidays and that would still be good.

  6. CanadyAnna
    December 3, 2011 at 7:36 am

    OK, I’m girding my loins & hoping I can pull off: to town for dog visit at hospital – home to get cookies and back to town for cookie exchange – back home to collect spousal unit and then back to town AGAIN for the Rennaissance Concert (our personal don’t miss xmas event for over 30+ years now). This is all of course, “God Willin’ and the creek don’t rise” – or rather snow don’t fall. Meanwhile, those scottish ginger things – think they demand a try or two (maybe with sneaking a bit of rolled oats into the crust since if it’s scottish, it seems to call for oats).

  7. suchalab
    December 3, 2011 at 7:43 am

    Please count me in, YES! How do we find you as I didn’t go to the other gatherings?

  8. Kathy
    December 3, 2011 at 8:36 am

    I can’t stay long, but count me in. I’ll bring Minty Candy Christmas Cookies.

  9. Carol SB
    December 3, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Hey, darlin’, I think your math is flawed. I should bring however many dozen, then leave with that # LESS a dozen.
    That extra dozen is to share at the party… and if there are leftovers, that is the hostess’ bonus for being awesome.
    Now, my dilemma is how to package these lovely goodies.

  10. Trinh
    December 3, 2011 at 10:04 am

    Kristin and I will be coming! We are pretty excited!

  11. Cassie
    December 3, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    I have missed all of your other gatherings and would love to attend!!

    This one will be difficult for medsue to a dairy allergy. Pretty much all cookies are made with butter. Hopefully there will be some dairy free alternatives (shortening works!)

  12. Cassie
    December 3, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    oops, typo.
    difficult for me due to a dairy allergy*

  13. Carolyn
    December 3, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    so, no virtual cookie exchange? I understand it would be a lot of work and time. But, I’m so sad I can’t participate. If people do share recipes at your exchange, could you post them?

    Thanks for pointing this recipe from the Gourmet Cookie book. Another terrific recipe is the Oatmeal Molasses cookie from 1956.

  14. Sarah
    December 3, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Thanks Julie! These sound amazing! I’m making them tomorrow!

  15. Amber
    December 3, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    How important is the Rogers/Lyle’s Golden Syrup? I’m wondering as I want to make them for a work party but don’t have any Golden Syrup. Anything else work as a sub?

  16. Lauren O.
    December 3, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    Definitely count me in Julie! I will scour some cookbooks this week for some inspiration. Looking forward to it!

  17. Erica B.
    December 3, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    I’ll be there on the 10th. So glad to finally be able to make it to one of your parties! 😀

  18. AJDoula
    December 4, 2011 at 11:02 am

    I’ll be there, Julie, barring the arrival of a baby (not mine – I’m a doula). I agree with CarolSB – we should all make enough that you are sure to have an abundance for the holidays. I’m sure W and his cousin would agree!

  19. Amanda
    December 4, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Oohh… so in for the cookie exchange!

  20. Sandy
    December 4, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Hope to be there too, Julie. Will start scouring my recipes for a good cookie-exchange one. See you then.

  21. Corinne
    December 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    This sounds wonderful Julie. And well be celebrating and sharing local fare on Terra Madre Day. Thank you hosting these very special occasions.

  22. Melanie
    December 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    I’m in! I’m in! I’m in! I had to miss the pie party – not missing the cookie exchange!

  23. Carolyn
    December 4, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I just made the recipe posted above…. oh my! Unbelievable! Thank you!

  24. Trudy in Red Deer
    December 4, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    This recipe sounds intriguing and delicious. Thanks for posting it Julie! With my staff Christmas party at 6:00 on Sat. in Red Deer, I will not make it to the exchange but I will make this recipe and the Icebox Cookies that you posted at Family Kitchen.

  25. Jenna
    December 4, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    Julie! I’ll be there for the cookie exchange. Looking forward to it.

  26. Sarah
    December 4, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    Hoping to make it on Saturday, cookie exchange awesome! Loving the gingery goodness recipe, can’t wait to try it.

  27. Fareen
    December 5, 2011 at 5:05 am

    Oh shucks, we have our event at the Coast Plaza that day! I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing party!

  28. Lisa
    December 5, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    I’m in for sure – I love cookies almost as much as I love pie!

  29. Colleen
    December 5, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    I’m in. Thanks for putting this together Julie.

  30. Colleen
    December 6, 2011 at 6:27 am

    Posting again b/c I forgot to put in my email last time.

  31. christine
    December 6, 2011 at 8:05 am

    I’d love to come! I am a good cook, not the best baker…but cookie bars I can do…probably raspberry coconut or something like that. Can I bring my “spilling the beans” for an autograph?

  32. Jennifer Jo
    December 6, 2011 at 11:33 am

    I’ve made this twice now. Thanks! http://bit.ly/rs0E5T

  33. Ashley
    December 6, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    I’m really intrigued by this cookie crunch!!

  34. dragana
    December 6, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    These look intriguing! Do you suppose I could freeze them, and if not, how long do you think they can last for?

  35. JulieVR
    December 6, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Dragana – you could probably freeze them with no problem, but they keep very well as is! They’d probably keep for a week or so?

  36. JulieVR
    December 7, 2011 at 9:36 am

    Carolyn – yes, of course we can do a virtual cookie exchange! I’ll pull it together tonight…

  37. Evelyn
    December 7, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Made three batches of these cookies for a funeral. First batch was on Monday – the frozen cookies are all gone. And, yes, they were very good.
    SO – 2 more batches today. I am cutting them about 5 minutes after icing them – a warm pan – with a butter knife. I lined the pans with parchment and they are cutting beautifully! Thanks, Julie, for this easy cookie.

  38. Erin B
    December 7, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    I’ll be there! Looking forward to it, and I will be bringing dairy free baking Cassie 🙂

  39. molly
    December 8, 2011 at 7:36 am

    yes!!! aren’t these AWESOME? made them for the first time last year, and even though we already turned out an army of gingerbread men, am thinking will need to repeat skibo deliciousness this year.

    ah, the pleasures of lyle’s golden + butter…

  40. Susie
    December 8, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    I would love to come, but it depends on my little man (he is 5 months old) as he currently has a cold and is unimpressed with life. So can I be a definitely maybe?

  41. Leah
    December 9, 2011 at 11:42 am

    AHHH! These are so good! Thank you so very much, threw them together quickly this morning and will probably spend the rest of today finishing them off.

  42. Fay
    February 10, 2017 at 10:10 am

    Having not eastern anything other than soup for days due to flu I started to fantasize about the iced ginger ‘torte’ that my Scottish granny used to make. I came across this recipe and have just made it, would have been perfect if I had done the conversion right 1/2cup butter (how do you get it in a cup)? Is about 110g Not 220!!! I put it down to. My post flu brain… So a very short and bit too rich base but still totally um diddly scrumptious. Next time it will be perfect, thank you x

    • Julie
      February 11, 2017 at 9:57 am

      I measure butter by cutting it from the block (there are measurements on the side of the wrapper) – much easier than pressing it into a measuring cup! Glad you liked it!

  43. Angela Kitchen
    February 2, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    Amazing… Unique and so good…ate too many had to lie down…irresistible (;

  44. cialis cheap usa
    June 8, 2025 at 10:12 pm

    More posts like this would create the online time more useful.

  45. what is flagyl used for in humans
    June 10, 2025 at 4:29 pm

    More posts like this would persuade the online time more useful.

  46. c1ttm
    June 12, 2025 at 2:14 pm

    buy generic azithromycin online – tetracycline 500mg cost oral metronidazole 200mg

  47. sixtw
    June 14, 2025 at 1:55 am

    semaglutide pills – periactin 4 mg usa order cyproheptadine without prescription

  48. 8g2if
    June 16, 2025 at 1:27 am

    purchase motilium generic – buy sumycin without prescription flexeril 15mg oral

  49. t2jer
    June 25, 2025 at 12:54 am

    amoxiclav price – https://atbioinfo.com/ purchase ampicillin pills

  50. 3ruox
    June 26, 2025 at 5:54 pm

    order nexium 40mg generic – https://anexamate.com/ nexium buy online

  51. 3iemg
    June 28, 2025 at 3:43 am

    buy medex sale – https://coumamide.com/ buy generic hyzaar

  52. ifx87
    June 30, 2025 at 1:01 am

    where can i buy meloxicam – https://moboxsin.com/ how to buy meloxicam

  53. j284w
    July 1, 2025 at 10:53 pm

    buy deltasone 5mg online cheap – aprep lson order generic prednisone 20mg

  54. t3fn5
    July 3, 2025 at 2:09 am

    buy ed pill – https://fastedtotake.com/ buy ed pills gb

  55. lw1q0
    July 4, 2025 at 1:33 pm

    cheap amoxicillin without prescription – order amoxil generic purchase amoxicillin for sale

  56. ke3gk
    July 9, 2025 at 8:51 am

    cost fluconazole 200mg – site buy forcan generic

  57. kq5p0
    July 10, 2025 at 3:26 pm

    purchase escitalopram pills – https://escitapro.com/# buy escitalopram 10mg online cheap

  58. g85s4
    July 10, 2025 at 10:17 pm

    cenforce ca – cenforce uk cenforce price

  59. 7ohnd
    July 12, 2025 at 8:45 am

    cialis vs flomax for bph – https://ciltadgn.com/# cialis generic best price that accepts mastercard

  60. 81b38
    July 13, 2025 at 6:50 pm

    difference between sildenafil and tadalafil – https://strongtadafl.com/ cialis windsor canada

  61. Connievem
    July 14, 2025 at 8:11 am

    zantac usa – cheap ranitidine oral ranitidine

  62. xfod2
    July 16, 2025 at 12:48 am

    can you buy viagra cvs – https://strongvpls.com/ viagra usa buy

  63. Connievem
    July 16, 2025 at 3:07 pm

    More posts like this would make the online time more useful. click

  64. tfnxf
    July 17, 2025 at 11:28 pm

    More articles like this would pretence of the blogosphere richer. https://buyfastonl.com/isotretinoin.html

  65. Connievem
    July 19, 2025 at 11:15 am

    Thanks towards putting this up. It’s okay done. https://ursxdol.com/prednisone-5mg-tablets/

  66. wjujk
    July 21, 2025 at 2:25 am

    Palatable blog you have here.. It’s intricate to espy strong quality article like yours these days. I truly respect individuals like you! Take vigilance!! https://prohnrg.com/product/cytotec-online/

  67. knwni
    July 23, 2025 at 6:30 pm

    This website exceedingly has all of the low-down and facts I needed to this case and didn’t comprehend who to ask. online

  68. Connievem
    August 4, 2025 at 5:32 pm

    Thanks recompense sharing. It’s top quality. https://ondactone.com/spironolactone/

  69. Connievem
    August 7, 2025 at 2:27 pm

    The vividness in this serving is exceptional.
    https://doxycyclinege.com/pro/celecoxib/

  70. Connievem
    August 15, 2025 at 2:06 am

    This is the kind of writing I truly appreciate. http://ledyardmachine.com/forum/User-Bjzqvh

  71. Connievem
    August 21, 2025 at 8:15 am

    buy generic forxiga 10 mg – https://janozin.com/# buy dapagliflozin 10 mg for sale

  72. Connievem
    August 24, 2025 at 8:18 am

    order orlistat generic – purchase orlistat pills order orlistat 120mg pill

  73. Connievem
    August 29, 2025 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing. It’s acme quality. http://www.orlandogamers.org/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=29952

  74. ZritHault
    October 8, 2025 at 12:30 pm

    You can shelter yourself and your stock close being heedful when buying prescription online. Some pharmacy websites control legally and sell convenience, privacy, cost savings and safeguards as a replacement for purchasing medicines. buy in TerbinaPharmacy https://terbinafines.com/product/januvia.html januvia

  75. x234d
    October 9, 2025 at 5:50 pm

    I couldn’t hold back commenting. Warmly written! TerbinaPharmacy

  76. big bass splash free spins
    October 11, 2025 at 7:39 pm

    The thoroughness in this section is noteworthy.

  77. Pyzidq
    February 11, 2026 at 10:14 am

    betmgm MI online casino betmgm play betmgm free 200

  78. Xmyudk
    February 27, 2026 at 3:25 pm

    Chumba Casino — where free play meets real rewards. Grab your welcome chumba casino promo bonus and dive into non-stop slot action. Winners play here!

  79. Qnbsne
    March 1, 2026 at 6:09 pm

    Join best slots on stake today and experience the ultimate crypto casino vibe. Instant deposits, massive withdrawals, and provably fair games — everything a real player deserves. The original crypto gambling legend is waiting for you. Jump in now!

  80. Bizhdk
    March 3, 2026 at 11:27 am

    Your casino adventure starts at DraftKings online casino. Play $5 and receive 500 Cash Eruption spins + up to $1K back in credits on day one. Discover exclusive games and endless thrills!

  81. Kkktid
    March 10, 2026 at 5:10 pm

    Join the millions friendly strapping on fanduel casino Alaska – the #1 real money casino app in America.
    Respite c start your $1000 PLAY IT AGAIN honorarium and modify every relate, hand and rotate into legitimate coin of the realm rewards.
    Firm payouts, whopping jackpots, and habitual activity – download FanDuel Casino any longer and start playing like a pro today!

  82. Lydbwk
    March 17, 2026 at 1:44 pm

    Betano Casino https://betanogame.org/da/ er din billet til rigdom. Tilmeld dig og hent op til ?‚¬500 bonus plus 200 gratis spins. De bedste live dealere og slots venter. Start din rejse.

  83. Csjdml
    April 9, 2026 at 1:43 am

    Produits de sant?©, parapharmacie et conseils personnalis?©s : tout chez nous – https://alexipharmaque.eu/ville/magny-cours/ , La pharmacie qui pense ?  votre confort et ?  votre budget .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.