Florentine Cupcakes Recipes

FLORENTINES

Steps:

• Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir the almonds, flour and zest in a medium bowl. Stir the sugar, butter, cream, and honey in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the almond mixture. Cool the batter for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using 2 teaspoons of batter for each cookie, spoon 8 mounds of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly apart (the cookies will spread). Flatten the batter slightly with your finger.
• Bake the cookies until they are lacy and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Gently slide the parchment paper with the cookies onto a rack and cool completely. Transfer the cookies to paper towels. Repeat with the remaining batter, lining the baking sheets with clean parchment for each batch. (The cookies can be made up to this point 2 months ahead. Cool completely, then store airtight in the freezer. Defrost before continuing.)
• Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Spread the melted chocolate over the bottom of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, bottom side down, pressing lightly to adhere. Repeat with the remaining cookies and chocolate.

FLORENTINE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole 2-tablespoon capacity flat-based patty pan with paper cases.
• Using an hand electric mixer, cream the butter and caster sugar until it is pale and creamy; add the egg and beat until the ingredients are well-combined; sift the flour over the butter mixture and stir gently to combine; stir in the cream; two-thirds fill each paper case with the mixture and smooth the surface.
• The Florentine Topping: Combine the butter, brown sugar and cream in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl; microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minutes or until smooth; stir in the flour, almonds, apricots and cherries and spoon the topping over the cupcakes.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden; allow to completely cool in the pan; then transfer to a serving plate.
• Spoon the melted chocolate into a snap-lock bag, seal and snip off 1 corner. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cakes and serve.

FLORENTINE CREPE CUPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk the flour, salt, eggs and milk until smooth. Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet; add 3 tablespoons of batter. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until top appears dry. Place in a greased muffin cup. Repeat with the remaining batter., In a large bowl, combine the filling ingredients. Place 1/4 cup in each crepe cup. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until eggs are completely set.

FLORENTINES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C/gas 4. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment.Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and whisk in the flour then add the cherries, flaked almonds, pistachios and orange zest.
• Scoop 10 flat tbsp of the mixture onto the baking sheets, leaving room for them to spread. You will need to do these in batches. Bake for 10 mins until golden. Leave to cool for 2 mins until firm enough to lift onto a wire rack. Cool completely. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
• Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a simmering saucepan of water or in the microwave in 30 second bursts. Turn the florentines over on the wire rack. Spoon chocolate onto the base of each florentine and gently spread to the edges. When the chocolate is firm enough to hold its shape, use a fork to draw wavy lines across the chocolate. Leave to set and then store in an airtight container.