Mary Berry Poker Chips Recipe

These retro Mary Berry Poker Chips are bite-sized savory biscuits that combine the melt-in-the-mouth texture of shortbread with the sharp tang of mature cheese. Sliced from a chilled log and crowned with a jewel-like ring of olive or tomato, they bake into golden, buttery coins that add a touch of vintage glamour to any cocktail hour or party spread.

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Mary Berry Poker Chips Ingredients

The Savory Dough:

• 175g (6 oz) Self-Raising Flour: This gives the biscuits a slightly lighter, airier crumb than plain flour.
• 1 tsp Mustard Powder: A classic British addition that enhances the cheese flavor without adding heat.
• 75g (3 oz) Butter: Cold and cubed. Using butter is essential for that “short,” crumbly texture.
• 1 Large Egg: Beaten. This binds the dry crumbs into a sliceable dough.
• Seasoning: A pinch of salt and cayenne pepper (optional) for warmth.

The Cheeses:

• 75g (3 oz) Mature Cheddar Cheese: Grated finely.
• 25g (1 oz) Parmesan Cheese: Grated. The mix of Cheddar and Parmesan provides both melting qualities and a salty, umami kick.

The “Chip” Topping:

• Stuffed Green Olives: Sliced horizontally into rings.
• Black Olives: Pitted and sliced.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sliced into small rounds (optional, for color variation).

How To Make Mary Berry Poker Chips

1. Rub In: Measure the flour, mustard powder, and seasonings into a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor.
2. Add Cheese: Stir in the grated Cheddar and Parmesan cheese until evenly distributed throughout the crumbs.
3. Bind: Add the beaten egg to the mixture. Mix with a round-bladed knife or your hands until the dough comes together into a firm ball. It should be pliable but not sticky.
4. Roll and Chill: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board. Roll it into a long “sausage” shape, approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Wrap the log tightly in cling film or greaseproof paper. Crucial Step: Refrigerate the log for at least 1 hour (or freeze for 30 minutes). The dough must be firm to slice cleanly without squashing.
5. Slice: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / Gas 6). Unwrap the chilled dough log. Using a very sharp knife, slice the log into thin rounds, about 5mm thick.
6. Decorate: Place the rounds on greased or lined baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart. Press a slice of olive (or tomato) firmly into the center of each biscuit to resemble a gambling chip.
7. Bake: Bake for 10–15 minutes near the top of the oven. The biscuits should be golden brown and crisp on the edges.
8. Cool: Transfer to a wire rack to cool. They will crisp up further as they cool down.

Recipe Tips

• The “Log” Technique: Rolling the dough into a cylinder and chilling it is the secret to getting perfectly round, uniform “chips” without using a cutter or re-rolling scraps.
• Topping Adhesion: Press the olive slice into the dough before baking, not after. The dough rises slightly around the olive, locking it in place.
• Cheese Grating: Grate the cheese finely. Large shreds of cheese will melt out of the biscuits and ruin the round shape, creating lacy, greasy edges.
• Knife Sharpness: Use your sharpest knife to slice the chilled log. A serrated knife can sometimes drag and crumble the shortbread texture.

What To Serve With Poker Chips

• Gin and Tonic: The salty cheese and olive flavor is the perfect match for botanicals.
• Sherry: A dry Fino sherry complements the nutty Parmesan.
• Charcuterie Board: Arrange these alongside cured meats and pickles.
• Tomato Soup: Float a couple on top as a cheesy crouton alternative.

How To Store Poker Chips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight tin for up to 3 days. If they lose their crunch, flash them in a hot oven for 2 minutes.
• Freezing Dough: You can freeze the unbaked dough log for up to 2 months. Slice and bake directly from frozen (add a minute to baking time).
• Freezing Baked: Baked chips can be frozen. Thaw at room temperature.

Mary Berry Poker Chips Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 65 kcal
• Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 80mg

Nutrition information is estimated per biscuit (makes approx. 30).

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Pulled Pork Recipe
• Mary Berry Potato And Onion Gratin Recipe
• Mary Berry Rainbow Coleslaw Recipe