Did you try using self raising flour or adding baking powder ?

is your oven colder than you think?

If using plain flour make sure you used baking powder, if not use self raising

Check the temperature of your oven too.

I suggest not overworking the mixture, rolling and refrigerating the mixture before cutting and placing it on baking trays. The shape is more likely to hold.

As per the comments below, try self raising flour, mine worked much better when I did

I find placing the dough in the fridge for half an hour or so helps it to hold its shape when baking. (That’s if you are patient enough to wait the extra time!)

Mine do the same, I can ever get them to look like the recipe.

It sounds like you are not putting enough dough on the pan per biscuit to give it more of a rise. Perhaps using a bigger spoon like a tablespoon to help you which I do when I attempt biscuits. Cooking smaller items like biscuits are easier for me than cooking bulky foods such as cakes , but the more we do the more hopefully we become better at it . Good luck .

Instead of using plain flour try self raising flour, it’ll make a great difference. Hope this helps

You ay be kneading or mixing them too much.

Hi Naomi, Over mixing can also cause flat biscuits, if you use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar ..once this is done change to a balloon whisk.
Hoping you have great success.

I think they key here is try Self Raising Flour. I never use plain flour. It’s important to use an electric beater to beat the butter, sugar and vanilla essence in a medium bowl until pale and creamy. Add the egg and beat until combined. Sift self raising flour over the butter mixture and stir until combined. Best of luck with your next batch!

Maybe you rolled them out too thin.

Thank you thank you thank you! My recipe tasted delicious but just looked average so I’m keen to try again! It was a bit wet so I possibly added a little more butter and will try more flour. Some awesome tips!

may be a little to much butter or marg and over handled when rolling into balls. I find when i make jam ball and yoyo’s when its is mixed up it kinds or need clump together when stiring or using a mixer.. if it doesnt add a little more flour till it does.

You could try a new bag of flour (if yours has been opened for a while). I find this helps. You could also try substituting a small amount of plain flour with SR flour.

Maybe the dough mixture was too wet (cool or humid day) and the biscuit spread out instead of being firm enough to retain the ball shape for holding jam? Or maybe you can bake it in a patty case to help hold a more upright shape?

Maybe the oven wasn’t warm enough when you put the biscuits in? Or maybe more flour should be added?