A little something sweet for Valentine’s day. Some will be dining out, others, like me will be eating in. I have reserved my free bottle of Waitrose champagne, thanks to their promotional gift when making your first online order with them. Usually this is accompanied by seafood, I don’t mind what. And something chocolate to finish.
My sweet offering for this year includes the cacao nibs I was given for Christmas. They turn a simple chocolate cookie into something quite special. The crunch and dark unsweetened flavour of cacao adds an unexpected note with a little heat too from a pinch of Piment d’Espelette.
Adding a layer of lime flavoured Mascarpone turns these cookies into a chocolate cheesecake sandwich fit for any Valentine occasion.
I am adding my Valentine bake to the following linkies:
One Ingredient hosted by ME and Franglais Kitchen. This month’s theme is LIMES.
Family Foodies hosted by Louisa at Eat Your Veg and Vanesther at Bangers&Mash. The theme is LOVE.
Four Seasons Food hosted by Anneli at Delicieux and Louisa at Eat your Veg. The theme is FOOD FROM THE HEART.
Simply Sensational Food’s LET”S COOK SWEET TREATS FOR VALENTINE.
Tea Time Treats hosted by Karen at Lavender & Lovage and Janie at The Hedgecombers. This month’s theme is CHOCOLATE.
I am also sending these over to Elizabeth at Tango Like Raindrop’s VALENTINEBAKES blog hop.
Chocolate & Cacao Nib Cookies
Ingredients
- For the cookies:)
- 100 g Butter softened
- 50 g Caster sugar
- 1/2 tsp Piment d'Espelette
- 20 g Cacao nibs crushed
- 25 g Cocoa powder
- 80 g Plain flour
- 50 g Cornflour
- For the cheesecake filling:)
- 250 g Mascarpone
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 Lime zest only
Instructions
- For the cookies:)
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl using a wooden spoon to begin with then use your hands to bring the cookie dough together into a ball and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes,
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees then line a large baking tray with baking parchment,
Roll out the cookie dough on a floured work surface (not too thin) and cut out shapes using a heart cookie cutter ,
Place the cookies onto the tray and bake for 15 minutes then leave to cool completely before filling with the cheesecake cream.
- For the cheesecake filling:)
- Combine all of the ingredients and place into a piping bag ready to fill the cookies when they are cool. Keep refrigerated until you are ready to fill the cookies.
- For the cheesecake cookies:)
Pipe a generous amount of the cheesecake filling onto the base of one cookie then sandwich together with another cookie. Continue this process until half of the cookies have been filled. Top with the remaining cookies.
Do this at the last minute as the cookies must not be refrigerated as they will soften and lose their crisp bite.
Deena Kakaya says
February 9, 2014 at 2:20 pmGoodness they look so light and look at that deep colour x
Laura Scott says
February 9, 2014 at 9:01 pmVery intense flavoured cookie, love cacao nibs!
Choclette says
February 9, 2014 at 2:50 pmThese look so pretty Laura and sound scrumptious too with the lovely lime mascarpone filling and deep chocolate biscuit. I’ve not thought of grinding up cocoa nibs – what an interesting idea …
Laura Scott says
February 9, 2014 at 9:02 pmWell Choclette I have a kilo of cacao beans I got for Xmas so am now starting to use them up!
Jude says
February 9, 2014 at 2:59 pmA perfect Valentine’s treat, chocolate and lime is always wonderful and your added spice must warm them up superbly.
Laura Scott says
February 9, 2014 at 9:03 pmThanks Jude, a little hint of spice does work here and I do love chocolate limes, always a favourite!
Nayna Kanabar says
February 9, 2014 at 8:05 pmSo cute and romantic I am sure your valentine is going to be thrilled to eat these.
Laura Scott says
February 9, 2014 at 9:03 pmThanks Nanya, I hope so too!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
February 10, 2014 at 12:52 amI have always fancied making sandwiched cookies, but was never sure what to fill them with. I’d never have thought of mascarpone. They look wonderful!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 1:01 pmThanks Jac, if you don’t like the filling you could replace it with ice cream which works very well too 🙂
[email protected]w says
February 10, 2014 at 9:54 amThis sounds deeply delicious. I am partial to the little cacao nib and even like it in porridge (that is a bit weird though). I was wondering, I am not keen on marscapone, would full-fat soft cheese work just as well? I have never made a filled biscuit before but I do think this is so cute and looks straightforward for a relative non-baker (of sweet things at least) that perhaps I won’t make too much a of a hash of it!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 1:02 pmAbsolutely Kellie, full fat soft cheese would be fine or even ice cream or chocolate ganache. Your choice!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
February 10, 2014 at 11:59 amThese are adorable and just perfect for Valentine’s Laura. I am a recent marscapone convert and will be filling everything with it soon!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 1:03 pmYes same here Helen, just love it in sweet and savoury cooking. So rich and smooth.
Katie Bryson says
February 10, 2014 at 3:14 pmWhat a fabulous recipe Laura with some tantalising flavours going on… perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 6:23 pmThanks Katie, can’t really go wrong with chocolate for Valentine’s day!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
February 10, 2014 at 5:17 pmThese look lovely, – like Oreos only sexier! 😉 That’s very disciplined of you to reserve your Waitrose champagne until Valentines, I think I’d have drunk mine already!!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 6:23 pmI know, I have it chilling nicely as we speak!
Louisa says
February 10, 2014 at 9:45 pmGorgeous wee biscuits of loveliness Laura and a very wonderful entry to this month’s Family Foodies ‘Love’ event. Lovely flavours and so so pretty!
Laura Scott says
February 10, 2014 at 10:14 pmThanks Louisa, have enjoyed my Valentine bake this year!
Nazima says
February 10, 2014 at 11:04 pmoooh these look pretty and the combination of dark chocolate with lime in the cream sounds heavenly
Laura Scott says
February 11, 2014 at 10:33 amThanks Nazima, I really do love both lemon and lime with chocolate 🙂
Ren Behan says
February 11, 2014 at 10:58 amThe filling looks really divine and I haven;t yet used cocoa nibs in baking so I’ll give them a go x
Laura Scott says
February 11, 2014 at 1:23 pmThey are so intense a flavour Ren, add a good crunch too 🙂
Fish fingers for tea says
February 11, 2014 at 8:52 pmLook at that colour! I’m yet to try cacao nibs and really must hunt some down. Lovely biscuits Laura!
Laura Scott says
February 12, 2014 at 9:50 pmThanks Sian, the cacao nibs add crunch and a strong rich chocolate taste without being too sweet 🙂
whatjessicabakednext says
February 12, 2014 at 4:24 pmThese look so pretty and super delicious! 🙂
Laura Scott says
February 12, 2014 at 9:50 pmThanks Jessica!
anna @ annamayeveryday says
February 14, 2014 at 10:53 amAren’t those lovely, what a great idea and I bet they are delicious!
Laura Scott says
February 14, 2014 at 5:20 pmThanks Anna, cacao nibs do make them rich and they smell great when baking!
Julie's Family Kitchen says
February 14, 2014 at 7:42 pmI love these cookies, they look so cute and tasty too.
Laura Scott says
February 16, 2014 at 6:20 pmThanks Julie, pleased you like them!
Anne's Kitchen says
February 17, 2014 at 12:13 pmI don’t think I’ve ever stumbled accross cacao nibs, will have a better look next time I am out shopping!
Love the heart shaped cookies, perfect for Valentines! And free champagne is an excellent bonus! Enjoy!
Laura Scott says
February 21, 2014 at 3:52 pmThanks Anne, it was very good champagne!
Anneli Faiers says
February 23, 2014 at 4:01 pmChocolate Cheesecake Sandwich you say? YES YES YES I say 🙂 These look so pretty and I love the idea of squashing that lime mascarpone in the middle. Served with champagne? Can I be your valentine next year? (lol!!) Thanks for entering them into Four Seasons Food x
Laura Scott says
February 24, 2014 at 6:01 pmThanks Anneli!
Karen says
February 27, 2014 at 4:16 pmFABULOUS entry for TTT Laura! LOVE biscuits like this! Karen
Kate says
March 5, 2014 at 6:37 pmLove these, especially that filling. Yum!