Florentine Biscuits

Candied fruits, such as mango, apricots, and dates, are the key ingredients to create a delicacy full of flavors and colors. Before you start, make sure you have a very sharp knife, as cutting these fruits into small pieces will require precision. This step is essential, as the uniform size of the candied fruits will contribute to a homogeneous texture and an attractive appearance of the Florentine cookies.

Once you have cut the fruits, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. It is important to have the oven ready in advance to ensure even baking. While the oven is heating, prepare the two trays by lining them with parchment paper. Make sure the paper covers not only the bottom of the tray but also the corners and about 1.5 cm up the sides to facilitate the later removal of the cookies.

In a pan, add the brown sugar, honey, and butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula. This melting process should be slow and controlled to avoid premature caramelization of the sugar. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, add the coconut flakes, followed by the almond flakes, and finally the candied fruits. Carefully mix to combine all the ingredients.

The last step of the mixture involves gradually adding the flour, mixing with the wooden spatula to avoid lumps. Once the mixture becomes homogeneous, carefully pour it into the prepared tray. Use the spatula to level the surface, ensuring that there are no large gaps, although these will even out during baking.

Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. The cookies should turn golden, a sign that they are perfectly baked. After baking, remove the tray from the oven and let the cookies cool. As they cool, you will notice how they harden, becoming crunchy and delicious.

When the cookies are completely cool, carefully flip them onto the second tray. Remove the parchment paper from the top, being careful not to damage the cookies. In another bowl, grate the chosen chocolate and melt it in a bain-marie, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to achieve a homogeneous mixture. This melted chocolate will add a delicious layer of flavor to the cookies.

Pour the melted chocolate over the cookies, leveling well with a spatula or knife to achieve a smooth surface. Alternatively, you can "paint" each cookie individually with chocolate using a pastry brush, making each piece a little work of art. Let the cookies cool until the chocolate hardens completely. Finally, use a previously prepared mold to cut out the cookies, achieving perfect shapes. These Florentine cookies are not only tasty but also beautifully decorated, making them perfect for any special occasion!

 Ingredients: For 22 - 24 cookies: * 140 g brown sugar * 100 g liquid honey * 200 g salted butter (French butter) * 100 g coconut flakes * 140 g almond flakes * 100 g candied mango slices * 100 g candied apricots * 100 g extra light candied dates (weighing is done after removing the pits) * 4 tablespoons of freshly sifted white flour '000' * 250 g milk chocolate or dark chocolate (according to preference)

 Tags:  milk unt flour sugar fruits honey chocolate nut christmas and new year's recipes vegetarian recipes biscuits recipes for children