Makes 50 biscuits
Ingredients
190g (7½ oz) plain flour
75g (3 oz) cocoa powder
2.5ml (½ tsp) Dr Oetker Baking Powder
125g (4½ oz) dark brown sugar
Finely grated rind and juice 1 small unwaxed orange
1 large egg, beaten
75g (3 oz) unsalted butter, melted
To Decorate:
225g (8 oz) Dr Oetker Continental Plain Chocolate
Dr Oetker Alphabet letters to decorate
Method:
1. Line 3 large baking trays with baking parchment. Sift flour, cocoa and baking powder into a bowl. Stir in the sugar and orange rind and make a well in the centre.
2. Add the egg and melted butter and gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients together, along with 10-15ml (2-3tsp) orange juice to make a firm dough.
3. Turn on to a lightly floured work surface and knead gently until smooth. Divide in 2 pieces and roll one piece at a time to a thickness of 5mm (1/4inch). Using a 5cm (2inch) fluted edge round cutter, stamp out 50 rounds, re-rolling the dough as necessary.
4. Transfer the rounds to the baking trays, spaced a little apart. Prick with a fork and chill for 30 mins.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C fan oven/ 350°F (gas 4). Bake for 8-10 minutes until firm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. To decorate, break the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and place over a saucepan of barely simmering water to melt. Remove from the heat but keep the chocolate over the water to prevent it from setting.
7. Working on one round at a time, spoon approx. 2.5ml (1/2tsp) of the melted chocolate into the centre and gently spread it to fill the centre, tapping gently to make an even layer, release any air bubbles, and to achieve a smooth, well-covered surface.
8. Decorate with alphabet letters before the chocolate sets as and place back on the wire rack whilst you decorate the remaining cookies. Allow to set completely in a cool place before serving.
Cooks Tip: – as an alternative, use grated lime rind and juice to make up your biscuits, and use Dr Oetker Continental Milk or White Chocolate to decorate the tops instead.
