Decadent Hot Chocolate & Homemade Digestives

Wed, 10th of February

This Valentine’s Day, why not surprise your loved one with a homemade version of their favourite biscuit? This recipe is for a crumbly oat biscuit that’s perfect served with a decadent hot chocolate. For a really rich drink, use melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder, I added a touch of cayenne pepper to spice it up!

Helen James


Ingredients


Digestives

  • (makes 14-16 biscuits)
  • 1 cup (100g) medium size oats*
  • 50g (⅓ cup) wholewheat flour
  • 50g (⅓ cup) plain flour
  • 3½ ozs (100g) cold butter
  • 50g (¼ cup) light muscovado sugar
  • 1 bar of plain chocolate (optional)

*if you only have jumbo oats place them in the food processor or coffee grinder and blitz for a few seconds to reduce their size.


Hot Chocolate


  • (makes 2 x cups hot chocolate)
  • 80g plain chocolate (chopped)
  • 2 cups milk
  • Whipping cream
  • Couple of pinches of cayenne pepper
  • Cinnamon sticks (optional)
  • Considered Chocolate Syrup (optional)

To make the biscuits


  1. 1. Pre-heat the oven to 190˚C.
  2. 2. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and rub together with your fingertips until it comes together into a dough.*
  3. 3. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and lightly knead once or twice until it comes together.
  4. 4. Roll to 5mm thick and cut with 7cm cookie cutter.
  5. 5. Place your biscuits onto a lined cookie tray and bake for 14-16 mins.
  6. 6. Carefully remove from cookie tray and place on a wire cooling tray as they will be very crumbly until they cool.
  7. 7. When completely cooled cover in your favourite chocolate, if desired they are honestly nice either way.

*if you blitzed your oats you may need to add another tablespoon of butter depending on how fine they are


Hot Chocolate


  1. 1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over a medium heat
  2. 2. Add the chocolate and whisk until melted and combined.
  3. 3. Continue to heat until the mixture is hot, but not boiling, then add two small pinches of cayenne pepper. For a frothy finish, whisk vigorously just before pouring.
  4. 4. Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. I like mine with lashings of chocolate syrup and a cinnamon stick!

Helen James


Let me know if you make this and how you get on #consideredbyhj


Considered by Helen James is available at selected stores


Products used: Favourite Mug3540157 Breakfast Set3540155 Chocolate Syrup3520122 Tea Pot3540149