Florentine cookies

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

2. Melt the butter, sugar and honey in a pan over a medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Stir in the flour, candied peel, cherries and almonds.

3. Using your hands, shape the mixture into small mounds, then place 9 on each baking tray, spaced apart. Press down each mound slightly. Bake for 7-8 minutes, until the biscuits have spread and are golden. Leave for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining mixture, to make 24 florentines.

4. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water – don’t let the bowl touch the water. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Using a palette knife, spread the flat side of each biscuit with the chocolate and allow to set. Spread another layer of chocolate over the first and use a fork to mark wavy lines. Set once again.