Treat yourself or your loved ones to a batch of delectable Florentine biscuits, a culinary masterpiece crafted by the renowned Mary Berry. These delightful cookies, renowned for their exquisite taste and elegant appearance, are surprisingly easy to make, requiring just 20 minutes of your time.
Expertly crafted with a harmonious blend of butter, sugar, flour, and a medley of dried fruits and nuts, Florentine biscuits offer a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. The subtle sweetness of the dried cranberries or glace cherries complements the candied peel’s zesty notes, while the crunchy almonds and walnuts add a satisfying textural contrast.
The key to achieving perfect Florentine biscuits lies in carefully weighing the ingredients. Precision in measurement ensures a balanced flavor profile and optimal texture. Avoid substitutions or haphazard estimation; instead, adhere to the recipe’s instructions meticulously for guaranteed success.
Begin by preheating your oven to 180C/160C fan/gas four. Line three baking trays with parchment paper to prevent the biscuits from sticking. In a small pan, combine the butter, sugar, and golden syrup. Gently heat the mixture until the butter melts, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Once the butter has melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the flour, chopped cranberries or cherries, candied peel, and nuts. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
Now, it’s time to shape your Florentine biscuits. Spoon six teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto each of the prepared baking trays, ensuring sufficient space between each biscuit to allow for spreading during baking. Bake the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.
Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking trays. Then, carefully transfer them to a cooling rack using a palette knife.
While the biscuits cool, prepare the chocolate topping. Break half of the chocolate into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir the chocolate continuously until it reaches a melting temperature of 53C. Meanwhile, finely chop or grate the remaining chocolate.
Once the chocolate has melted, carefully remove the bowl from the heat and add the remaining chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate has cooled to 26C.
Now, it’s time to assemble your Florentine biscuits. Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate over the flat base of each biscuit. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly before using a fork to create a zigzag pattern in the chocolate. This will give your biscuits an elegant and professional touch.
Finally, leave the biscuits to set, chocolate side up, on a cooling rack. Once set, store the biscuits in an airtight container or serve them immediately.
Indulge in the delightful taste of Mary Berry’s Florentine biscuits, a sweet treat that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your loved ones. With its exquisite flavor and elegant appearance, these biscuits are perfect for any occasion.
