White chocolate Florentines with cardamom and rose recipe

Our white chocolate Florentines give classic Florentines an eastern touch with the subtle spice of cardamom and delicate fragrance of rose. Florentines are biscuits that are traditionally made from a mix of nuts and dried fruit or candied peel, all brought together with a rich and buttery caramel binding. If you’re looking for an edible gift to take to a dinner party, then these white chocolate Florentines are a simple but stylish option with a bit of French flair that always goes down a treat. Tie them up in some brown paper and a pretty homemade treat. They’ll keep for a few days in an airtight container, but are best enjoyed on the day they’re made.

Ingredients

• 45g butter
• 2tbsp double cream
• 60g golden caster sugar
• ¼tsp ground cardamom
• 1tbsp honey
• 1tbsp flour
• 125g flaked almonds
• 60g shelled pistachios
• a few drops of rose water

For the topping

• 90g white chocolate
• flaked sea salt to sprinkle on top

Method

1. Heat the oven to 160ºC. Melt the butter, cream, sugar, cardamom and honey in a saucepan over a medium heat. As the mixture starts to simmer, add the flour, flaked almonds, pistachios and rose water. Stir well to coat the nuts, then divide the mixture between a muffin tin with 20 holes. Press the nut mixture into the tin, then bake for 12-15mins until golden brown and caramel in colour.
2. Remove the Florentines from the oven, and allow to cool for a few minutes in the tray. Once cool remove and place on a wire rack with greaseproof paper underneath. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water, then drizzle over the Florentines. Leave to cool completely so the chocolate sets, then serve.