More than just an author, some sweet treats that you can make at home

A change again this week, to prove that I don’t just write books, I decided to share some more easy recipes with you.

As you will see, I have a liking for chocolate.

Here are two sweet treats that you can easily make. The total time involved in actually doing anything is very short, mostly you’re waiting for things to cook or freeze.

First up is Millionaires Shortbread,

First off, you make the base, 325g Plain Flour, 200g Butter and 100g Caster Sugar, all rubbed in together and pressed into a lined baking tin 20x30cm (8×10 inch)

This was baked for 35-40 minutes at 140°C (until the edge starts to colour) and set to cool in the fridge.

Next, the caramel, melt 150g butter and 150g light brown sugar in a pan,

add a tin of Condensed Milk (397g) and simmer for about 8 minutes, I used my Induction hob set at 100°C and kept stirring. You will feel the mixture thicken.

Pour over the base and smooth out, return it to the fridge.

When the top is set, melt 400g chocolate, I used 200g each of Plain and Milk and the microwave (people will tell you not to use a microwave but I like to live on the edge! Be careful though and just heat for 20 seconds at a time, stirring well before re-heating),

Then pour over the set caramel and smooth out, return it to the fridge.

Then be patient, this is the hardest part of the job!!

Give it at least 3 hours before you cut it, overnight would be best really because everything has to be set or it will ooze. After 1 hour the edges were set but the middle was still soft, as you can see.

but after another hour it was almost there.

The moment of truth, I lifted it out of the tray and removed the paper,

then cut it into generous portions.

The second idea is a version of a chocolate-covered coconut bar, the shape is optional, I realise what mine look like and will do them differently next time. It didn’t affect the taste though, you could always cut them into pieces if it bothers you.

I stumbled upon a recipe, it looked remarkably easy to make, I had to have a go. There are just three ingredients and around half an hours work. There is no cooking involved, apart from melting the chocolate.

I used 500g Desiccated Coconut and 170g Condensed Milk, with 100g Milk Chocolate Chips,

all mixed together until it forms a dough.

I shaped this into logs and put them in the freezer for 20 minutes. Next time I will use a mould and make slightly more acceptable shapes.

After this time I melted 300g Dark Cooking Chocolate in the microwave (20-second bursts with a stir each time so it doesn’t burn)

Then I dipped the logs and put them in the fridge to harden, the frozen mixture was starting to set the chocolate as I worked. This was where the shape became apparent, it was too late to turn back though!