Dear Liza,
I got new toys for my birthday! Grandpa Nelson and Auntie Bridgett know how much I love to bake, and we have all been enjoying the Great British Baking Show, so they got me Mary Berry’s Baking Bible, a bench scraper, and even a digital scale!
Yesterday, my baking joy continued as I found Lyle’s Golden Syrup (an essential ingredient in many British goodies) at the New Seasons Market by Auntie Katie’s house. So today, I tried something new.
Florentines.
These lovely, lacy cookies are beautiful, and one of my favorite bakery treats, and I have always been intimidated by them. But after watching Mary Berry create them in The Masterclass portion of the Great British Baking Show, I gave them a try and succeeded beyond my dreams.
Using my new scale carefully, following directions, and having all my ingredients and tools out and ready beforehand allowed me to make a half-recipe of these wonderful cookies. The ingredients are few and basic: Butter, Sugar, Golden Syrup, flour, and nuts. I painted melted chocolate on half of the small batch, and was able to make the traditional zigzig pattern. But I prefer them without the chocolate, which I think masks the delicate, nutty caramel flavor.
I will make a full batch later, for Auntie Bridgett’s Gallery potluck dinner.
Yum!
Love,
Grandma Judy
