Florentines with Pistachios, Cherries, and Citrus Zest Recipe

Introduction

Florentines are delicate, buttery biscuits loaded with nuts, chopped cherries, and a touch of citrus zest, all coated in rich dark chocolate. These elegant treats are perfect for special occasions or an indulgent afternoon snack.

Ingredients

• 50g salted butter
• 50g light muscovado sugar
• 50g golden syrup
• 50g plain flour
• 50g glacé cherries, chopped
• 75g flaked almonds
• 50g pistachios, chopped
• 2 oranges, zested
• 175g dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment to prepare for baking.
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, sugar, and golden syrup together, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from the heat.
3. Step 3: Whisk in the plain flour until fully combined, then fold in the chopped glacé cherries, flaked almonds, chopped pistachios, and orange zest.
4. Step 4: Using a tablespoon, scoop out 10 flat spoonfuls of the mixture onto each baking sheet, spacing them well to allow spreading. You will need to bake in batches.
5. Step 5: Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden. Once baked, leave the florentines to cool on the sheets for 2 minutes until firm enough to lift.
6. Step 6: Transfer the florentines to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat baking with the remaining mixture.
7. Step 7: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or carefully in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between intervals.
8. Step 8: Turn each cooled florentine over and spoon melted chocolate onto the base, spreading gently to the edges.
9. Step 9: When the chocolate has firmed but is still soft, use a fork to create gentle wavy patterns across the surface. Leave the florentines to set completely.

Tips & Variations

• Swap pistachios for hazelnuts or pecans for a different nutty flavor.
• If you prefer sweeter florentines, use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for coating.
• Adding a pinch of cinnamon or mixed spice to the batter can add warm depth to the flavor.

Storage

Store the cooled florentines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep them in a cool, dry place to prevent the chocolate from melting or sweating. If the chocolate softens slightly, simply allow them to come back to room temperature before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other dried fruits instead of glacé cherries?

Yes, chopped dried apricots, cranberries, or raisins work well and provide a nice fruity contrast to the nuts and chocolate.

How do I prevent florentines from sticking to the baking parchment?

Using non-stick baking parchment or lightly greasing it can help. Also, letting the florentines cool on the paper until firm before lifting them off reduces sticking.

Florentines with Pistachios, Cherries, and Citrus Zest Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 122 reviews

Delightfully crisp and nutty Florentines featuring a blend of almonds, pistachios, and glacé cherries, baked to golden perfection and finished with a rich layer of dark chocolate. These elegant European treats combine a sweet, buttery base with zesty orange notes, making them an irresistible indulgence perfect for gifting or enjoying with tea.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch (approx. 20 minutes total for two batches)
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 20 florentines 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Florentine Base

• 50g salted butter
• 50g light muscovado sugar
• 50g golden syrup
• 50g plain flour
• 50g glacé cherries, chopped
• 75g flaked almonds
• 50g pistachios, chopped
• 2 oranges, zested

Coating

• 175g dark chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/Gas Mark 4. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment to prevent the florentines from sticking during baking.
2. Prepare Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt together the salted butter, light muscovado sugar, and golden syrup, stirring frequently until fully combined and smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in the plain flour until evenly incorporated. Then fold in the chopped glacé cherries, flaked almonds, chopped pistachios, and orange zest to create the florentine batter.
3. Shape and Bake: Using a tablespoon, scoop out 10 flat dollops of the mixture onto each prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow room for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown around the edges.
4. Cool the Florentines: Remove the sheets from the oven and let the florentines cool for 2 minutes so they firm up enough to be lifted. Transfer them carefully onto a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture in batches.
5. Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate either over a double boiler by placing a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water or by microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring between each until smooth and glossy.
6. Coat with Chocolate: Flip each cooled florentine over on the wire rack so the base is facing up. Spoon the melted chocolate onto the base of each florentine, gently spreading it evenly to the edges.
7. Create Decorative Pattern and Set: Once the chocolate is firm enough to hold its shape but not fully set, use a fork to draw wavy lines across the chocolate coating for a classic decorative touch. Leave the florentines undisturbed until the chocolate has fully set and hardened.
8. Storage: Store the finished florentines in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crispness and freshness.

Notes

• Ensure florentines are spaced sufficiently on the baking sheet to prevent them from merging into each other as they spread while baking.
• Using a wire rack to cool helps maintain their crisp texture by allowing air circulation.
• You can substitute pistachios with other nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts depending on preference.
• The orange zest adds a fresh citrus flavor; you can experiment with lemon zest for a different twist.
• If you prefer a sweeter chocolate, opt for milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for coating.
• Store in an airtight container to keep the florentines crisp and prevent the chocolate from melting.

Keywords: Florentines, nut cookies, almond biscuits, chocolate coated florentines, orange zest, European desserts, teatime treats