Published in Issue 20, December 2012
Written by Silvia from Slowlane Handmade
Mocha Sticks with Chocolate
& Chocolate Walnut Kisses
Christmas is around the corner and and thoughts turn to gift giving and feeding the family.
The economic downturn is also taking it’s toll and perhaps you feel that you need to cut your Christmas gift giving list. But you don’t really have to!!
Why not give home made, home baked gifts? And try something a little different.
These little biscuits, wrapped with love will be such a hit that your loved ones will want them all year round.
Mocha Sticks with Chocolate
Ingredients
4tbsp Espresso powder
275gr Flour
50gr ground Almonds
50gr ground Hazelnuts
75gr Sugar
10gr Vanillin Sugar
2 ½ tsp Cocoa Powder
Pinch of Slat
2 Egg yolks
200gr Butter
200gr dark chocolate
Cling Film
Greaseproof Paper
Line 3 baking trays with greaseproof paper.
Dissolve the espresso powder in 2 tbsps hot water. Mix flour, almonds, hazelnuts, sugar, vanillin sugar, 2tsp cocoa powder, salt, egg yolk, espresso and butter to a smooth pliable dough. I use my Food mixer with the dough hook for this. Form dough it into a thick roll, wrap in cling film and set it aside in the fridge for 1 hour.
Cut your dough roll into 8 pieces. Roll out each piece into 42 cm long rolls (about 1 cm thick) cut into 7 smaller rolls.
Bake for 11 – 13 minutes at Gas mark 3 or 200 degrees.
Melt your dark chocolate and cover each end of the Mocha sticks.
Chocolate Walnut Kisses
Ingredients
300gr Flour
325gr Sugar (125gr for main dough the rest for the meringue)
10gr Vanillin Sugar
Pinch of salt
20 gr cocoa powder
1 Egg
150gr Butter
ca 120gr Walnut halves
4 Egg whites
2 tsp. Lemon juice
Cling Film
Greaseproof Paper
Line your baking trays with greaseproof paper
Mix flour, 125 gr sugar, vanillin sugar, sugar, salt, cocoa, egg and butter to pliable dough. I use my food mixer with the dough hook for this. Wrap in Cling film and set aside in the fridge for 45 minutes.
Roll out the dough approximately 3mm thick on a floured work surface. Use a small circular biscuit cutter (4 cm) and cut out your shapes. You should get approximately 78 little circles.
Mix your egg whites until they form peaks, add the lemon juice and slowly add the sugar, keep mixing all the time. Keep mixing until the ‘snow’ has a shiny look to it.
Use a piping bag to add the egg snow onto your bases. Add a walnut half and bake at Gas 2 /175 degrees for 12-15 minutes. You want the snow to be firm but still white.
Sadly this will be the last of the Recipes from the SlowLane. I have enjoyed my time with Creative Crafting Magazine and I hope you have enjoyed my Recipes.
