Imagine a delicate, crispy cookie that combines the rich crunch of almonds with luxurious dark chocolate – welcome to the world of Chocolate Dipped Almond Florentines! These elegant French treats are not just desserts; they're edible works of art that will transport your taste buds to the charming patisseries of Paris. With a perfect balance of sweetness, texture, and sophistication, these florentines are guaranteed to impress your guests and satisfy your most discerning sweet tooth.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 24 florentines
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the florentines from sticking.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the unsalted butter, sugar, and heavy cream. Stir gently until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved, creating a smooth mixture.
- Once the mixture is combined, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.
- Add the sliced almonds to the cooled mixture, stirring until the almonds are evenly coated.
- Using a tablespoon, drop rounded mounds of the almond mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The mixture will spread while baking, so be sure to leave enough space between each mound.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
- Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the florentines to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the florentines are cooling, melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler. If using a microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Once the florentines are completely cooled, dip the bottom of each florentine into the melted dark chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Place the chocolate-dipped florentines back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. If desired, you can drizzle additional melted chocolate over the tops for decoration.
- Refrigerate the florentines for about 15 minutes or until the chocolate has set. Once set, they are ready to serve!
- Enjoy your homemade Chocolate Dipped Almond Florentines with a cup of tea or coffee!
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality sliced almonds for the best flavor and crunch.
- Watch your florentines carefully while baking – they can quickly go from golden to burnt.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before dipping in chocolate to ensure a clean, smooth coating.
- Use a good quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for the most intense flavor.
- For uniform cookies, use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure each mound.
- If the chocolate starts to harden while dipping, gently reheat it to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Store florentines in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain their crisp texture.
- For an extra touch of elegance, try drizzling white chocolate over the dark chocolate for a beautiful contrast.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
