The Accidental Stepford

Stepford - n. a married person who submits to their partner's will and is preoccupied by domestic concerns.

Black Millionaire’s Shortbread

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The Mr asked me to make a biscuit-y treat that he could bring into the office on his birthday last week. He had mentioned millionaire’s shortbread a few days earlier, and so I thought I’d take a risk and make it. I made ‘Black Millionaire’s Shortbread’ which uses treacle and golden syrup instead of caramel, which results in a really rich end result.

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Ingredients:

  • For the base: 125g plain flour, 2 tbsp cocoa, ¼ tsp baking powder, 75g muscovado sugar, 100g unsalted butter (softened)
  • For the topping: 175g muscovado sugar, 2 tbsp cornflour, 1 tsp ground allspice, 75g treacle, 75g golden syrup, 150g unsalted butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 200g dark chocolate, 25ml sunflower oil

Method:

  1. Make the base by sifting the flour, cocoa and baking powder into a bowl. Add the sugar and butter, and rub until the mixture turns into a buttery dough.
  2. Press the dough evenly into the base of a 20cm square tin lined with foil and bake at 170C (150C fan assisted) for 30 mins.
  3. Stir the sugar, cornflour, allspice and syrups in a deep saucepan over a low heat until dissolved and smooth. Add the butter and vanilla extract, bring to a boil and simmer for three to four minutes until a drizzle dropped into cold water can be squeezed into a soft ball between your fingers.
  4. Remove from the heat, let the bubbles subside, then pour over the base. Leave for three to four hours to cool.
  5. Gently melt the chocolate with the oil and spread over the top.