Recipe: Florentin biscuits

These chewy, luxurious biscuits are the perfect winter treat, says Rosa Jackson

70g/2½oz flaked almonds

70g/2½oz unsalted raw peanuts or pistachios

160g/6oz cornflakes

400g/15oz condensed milk

60g/2oz glacé cherries

60g/2oz dried cranberries

30g/1oz candied orange peel, diced

30g/1oz crystallised ginger, diced

250g/9¼oz excellent quality dark chocolate

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2. Spread the almonds and peanuts or pistachios on a baking tray and roast for 15 minutes, until pale golden.

2. Lightly crush the nuts and cornflakes, and combine them in a bowl with the remaining ingredients (apart from the chocolate). Raise the oven temperature to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.

3. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop small spoonfuls of the mixture on to the parchment paper and spread with your fingers to make 5cm rounds, or use moulds or tart tins to ensure an even shape. If the Florentins are free form, allow 3cm between each round.

4. Bake the Florentins for 12 to 15 minutes, until deep golden. Set aside on a rack to cool.

5. Melt the chocolate over a low heat in a medium saucepan or in a bain-marie, and dip one side of each cooled biscuit in the chocolate. Return to the rack, chocolate side up, to set. If you like, use the tips of a fork to create a wavy pattern in the chocolate. Store in the refrigerator.

More French recipes:

Eric Lanlard’s pomegranate cake

Baba au rhum

Magret de canard