7 July 2011

Chocolate Bourbons

Selection tins of tea-time biscuits are a dangerous thing for awful decision makers such as myself, most often resulting in one of every type being greedily gobbled up. Whether your biccie of choice is the delightful custard cream, a jammy dodger, digestives, chocolate chip, 'Nice', or good old traditional shortbread there is one that is the childhood favourite of many, and that is the bladdy brilliant chocolate bourbon

This recipe produces shortbread-esque, deeply chocolaty fingers which are sandwiched together with a delicious creamy chocolate filling. It is remarkably similar to the original classic bourbons and brought back many a nostalgic sigh as I happily munched and dunked my way through more than I would like to admit :)
Even if you have never had the pleasure of eating the original, if you are a lover of chocolate biccies and smooth creamy icing (hello oreo fans!) than you will be guaranteed to adore these little cuties

Chocolate Bourbons
Adapted from Cherry on a Cake
Makes 12 cookies (or 11 if you are klutz like me and drop one in the dogs water bowl)

For the Cookies
4oz all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
2oz margarine or soft butter (I used marg)
2oz caster sugar
1 Tbsp golden syrup

For the Filling
1oz butter
2oz icing sugar
2 tsp cocoa powder
a few drops vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 170C and line baking sheets with baking parchment

Sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder into a medium/large bowl

Add the margarine/butter, caster sugar and golden syrup, work together until blended*

Turn dough out onto a lightly sugared board and work with your hands until you can make a ball**

Roll out the dough between 2 pieces of baking parchment until about 1/4 inch thick (or slightly thinner). The dough should not be at all sticky and may crack around the edges but should still roll easily

Cut out rectangles approx 1 inch x 2 1/2 inches and prick each with a fork 4 times (to replicate the classic bourbon design)

Bake for 12-15 minutes***

Leave to cool completely on a rack

Fork butter until soft and creamy, add vanilla and sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa. Mix together until smooth and sandwich together the fingers in pairs

Enjoy with a lovely cuppa tea :)


Notes
* The original source states the dough is a little dry when mixing but to persevere, this is an understatement! I was pretty worried as it was literally crumbles and in the end I put the spoon to one side and just got my hands in there! I think the warmth helped and after a while I just tipped the (now more together dough) onto the board and worked it some more
** I didn't sugar my board, you can if you wish I don't think it alters much 
*** Original recipe doesn't state a temperature and says to bake for 15-20 minutes. I baked them at 170C and found the first batch were a bit overdone by 17 minutes. The next 2 batches were perfectly done at 12 mins


     Click for the Printable :)

19 comments:

  1. What a wonderful recipe! I will keep that in mind for trying soon.

    Greetings from Switzerland!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sasha,
    These look wonderful! I haven't had a bourbon in too long! Thanks so much for your comment on my blog, you liked the looks of the huckleberry pie. You can use bilberries or blueberries to fill your pie instead. I accidentally deleted your comment, and I'm so sorry! Please stop in again. But I'm happy, too, because I found your site. It's adorable and I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Haha I have to say I'm a little sad there isn't actual bourbon in this ;p but it looks really delicious of its own right =D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nadine - thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!

    @Ivy Thank you Ivy for such a lovely comment and replying so swiftly to my question :) I will definitely visit your blog often from now on, it is truly beautiful

    @Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets Unfortunately the classic bourbon biccie doesnt include bourbon...weird i agree and a shame too as a bit 'o booze in sweet treats always goes down well! :) thank you lots for commenting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there :)

    Thanks for the sweet comment on my site.

    I'm really enjoying all of your delicious dessert recipes! Nice to meet you :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great work on these chocolate cookies - they look amazing especially with the filling.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These look divine. I will have to try making them myself.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for visiting me an let me find you:D This is a delicious tea snacks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. These look so inviting and dabgerously snackable. I think I could put away 2 without even noticing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I holy heaven! I every so want that this very instant.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Question: For a baker in the USA, what is a good substitute for the golden syrup?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Firstly, thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments, really does make my day every time I see I have a new one! :)

    @Katabri I am not an experienced baker as far as UK/US substitutions go, but if I was to sub something in for the golden syrup I would probably use a mild flavoured honey. I have read that corn syrup would also be a good substitution, probably the dark variety, but i am unsure what effect this would have on flavour im afraid! I would have thought it should work just fine though :) if you can get your hands on Lyles golden syrup I would - its yummy, I could...and do...eat it out of the tin by the spoonful! :)

    If you make these using another sweetener please let me know how it turns out! I would love to know :) thank you lots for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did such a good job! I am honoured that you tried the recipe and love it. :)) Yes the dough was crumbly but i used my hands too. Should have mentioned it and oooh I did not state the temp?...tsk tsk...how careless of me.. Ill go put that right ;P

    and thank you for linking. I appreciate that..and for making too of course.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These look so yummy! I'm gonna treat myself to a batch with some earl grey tea. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sasha,
    now this is something I will have to make. I love my tea and love chocolate and these look stunning! Definitely on my "to make list".

    I too am a serious procrastinator but somehow cooking gets me focused. :)
    Love your blog Sasha!

    ReplyDelete
  16. @missionbreakfast I used to be hooked on Earl Grey :) a batch of these would go fabulously i think! Thank you lottssss for commenting!

    @Tara @ The Butter Dish Tara thank you for that incredibly lovely comment :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. These look wonderful. I've never had anything like this, so now I'm going to be on the hunt for some of that syrup!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used maple syrup. Very yummy:) Rong

    ReplyDelete