Florentines Recipe 🍪
Introduction
Florentines are luxurious cookies that are perfect for any occasion, but they hold a special place during the festive season, especially at Christmas. These delightful treats combine the richness of butter, the crunch of almonds, and the sweetness of dried fruits, all topped with a decadent layer of chocolate. Here’s how to make them:
Ingredients
Quantity | Ingredient |
---|---|
4 | Butter |
1/4 | All-purpose flour |
1/4 | Raisins |
1/3 | Lemon, rind of |
1/3 | Almonds, chopped |
1/4 | Mixed peel |
2 | Cherries |
1/2 | Superfine sugar |
4 1/2 | Semisweet chocolate, melted |
Instructions
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Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large cookie sheets with baking parchment to prevent the cookies from sticking.
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Melt Butter and Sugar: In a small saucepan, heat the butter and superfine sugar over low heat until the butter has just melted and the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.
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Mix: Stir in the all-purpose flour until well combined. Then, add the chopped almonds, mixed peel, raisins, cherries, and lemon rind. Mix everything together thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
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Shape: Using a teaspoon, place small mounds of the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving enough space between them as they will spread during baking.
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Bake: Transfer the cookie sheets to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the florentines are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
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Shape Again: Once out of the oven, while still warm, use a round cookie cutter to press the edges of the florentines into neat shapes. This step helps give them their characteristic appearance.
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Cool: Allow the florentines to cool on the cookie sheets until they are firm enough to handle. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they set properly and become crisp.
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Chocolate Coating: Once the florentines are completely cooled, spread the melted semisweet chocolate over the smooth side of each cookie. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to achieve an even coating.
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Decorate: While the chocolate is still setting, use a fork to create wavy lines on its surface. This not only adds a decorative touch but also enhances the texture of the finished cookies.
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Variations: For a twist on the classic recipe, you can replace the semisweet chocolate with white chocolate for a different flavor profile. Additionally, for a visually stunning presentation, consider covering half of the florentines in dark chocolate and the other half in white chocolate.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate has set completely, your florentines are ready to be served. Arrange them on a platter or in gift boxes to share with family and friends, or simply indulge in their irresistible taste yourself!
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 198 per serving
- Fat: 10.8g
- Saturated Fat: 5.3g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
- Sodium: 31.5mg
- Carbohydrates: 28.3g
- Fiber: 8.5g
- Sugar: 7.5g
- Protein: 3.9g
Enjoy these exquisite Florentines as a delightful treat or as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season! 🎁