Discover the origin of delicate chocolate Florentine biscuits

Elegant, crisp, and brimming with notes of caramel and toffee, Florentine biscuits are delightful nibbles and make an excellent accompaniment to any hot drink. If you’ve ever wondered where these treats originated or how to make them, read on.

We’ll also take a look at our very own Florentine Isabelle chocolates — a chocolatier’s take on this classic treat.

What is a chocolate Florentine?

The term ‘Florentine’ is often associated with brunch items — particularly eggs and spinach. However, chocolate Florentines are far from savoury. Instead, a chocolate Florentine is a moreish cookie. These biscuits are thin and crispy, with a buttery base. They usually feature toasted nuts, candied fruits, and a hint of orange zest.

Once baked, Florentines are coated or drizzled with melted chocolate. The chocolate adds a rich and nuanced flavour profile and brings an irresistible smoothness to contrast with the crunchy biscuit texture. Sometimes, bakers add oats, coconut or cinnamon and nutmeg to the recipe. These added ingredients in particular make Florentines a fantastic addition to festive meals and buffets. That’s not to say, however, that Florentines are only for Christmas — they make a wonderful nibble any time of year.

Where are Florentine biscuits from?

As you might imagine from the name, it’s thought that chocolate Florentines are from Florence, Italy. Florence is known and loved for its rich culinary traditions. However, some people believe that Florentines actually originated in France. The name was perhaps in honour of Queen Catherine de Medici who took to the French throne in 1547 but was born in Florence.

Either way, these little bites of heaven are now a firm favourite worldwide. They saw a surge in popularity after they featured as a challenge on hit UK TV show, The Great British Bake Off. 

How to make Florentine biscuits

If you’re inspired by the mouth-watering, chocolate florentine biscuits you’ve seen on The Great British Bake Off, why not have a go at making some yourself? While they may look intricate, they’re quick and straightforward to make.

Ingredients

• 100g unsalted butter
• 75g caster sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 50g plain flour
• 50g flaked almonds
• 50g chopped mixed peel (essentially, this is candied lemon and orange peel)
• 100g dark chocolate. We recommend our 70% Dark Chocolate Batons for a great balance of flavours. Alternatively, why not opt for our 80% Dark Fruit and Nut Selector Slab for extra crunch?

Top tip: Catering for plant-based friends? You could also make this recipe vegan* by switching the butter for a dairy-free substitute and the honey for maple or agave syrup.

*Please just note that, while we believe our dark chocolate is suitable for vegans, it is produced in the same environment as our milk chocolate. As a result, we cannot guarantee it is free from milk.

Method

• To start, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F or gas mark 4) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter, sugar, and honey (or alternative) over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the mixture from the heat, then stir in the flour, almonds, and mixed peel until well combined.
• Spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart — they’ll spread as they cook.
• Bake for 8-10 mins until golden brown.
• Leave to cool on the sheet for 1-2 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once your Florentine biscuits have cooled, it’s time to add the chocolate. Melt your chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
• You can either dip the cooled biscuits into the chocolate so that one side is coated. Another option is to drizzle the chocolate over your Florentines using a whisk or fork to create a zig-zag pattern.
• Leave the chocolate to set.

Once fully cooled, your chocolate Florentine biscuits are ready to serve. Why not dress them up on a colourful plate? They’re perfect for afternoon tea — or for a midday office pick-me-up everyone is bound to appreciate.

What type of chocolate is best for Florentines?

The irresistible nuttiness of Florentine biscuits lends itself beautifully to dark chocolate. To balance the sweetness of the dried fruit, it’s best to opt for chocolate with a cacao content of 70% or above. Those who enjoy deep, savoury notes will appreciate our 90%

However, if you prefer a more mellow flavour profile, milk chocolate can work just as well. Look for milk chocolate with a higher-than-average cacao content. We make our signature Milk Chocolate Slab with 40% cacao for a melt-in-the-mouth texture and vibrant depth of flavour.

Why not melt our Chocolate Brownie Bar Selector for an even more sumptuous, indulgent treat?

Florentine Isabelle: our chocolatier’s take on the classic treat

Indulge in Hotel Chocolat’s luxurious take on the classic chocolate Florentine. Expertly crafted from the highest quality ingredients, these elegant biscuits are made with premium chocolate and a delicate blend of crunchy almonds, caramelised mixed peel, and honey.

Not to mention, each of our little Florentine Isabelles is filled with a velvety-smooth praline. With delicate notes of hazelnut, our miniature artisanal treats complement the caramelised fruit and nut perfectly. It’s the ultimate decadent pairing.

With every bite, you’ll experience a heavenly balance of textures and flavours that will tantalise your taste buds. Each biscuit is then finished with a luxurious drizzle of dark chocolate and a sprinkling of golden, toasted almonds, making them the perfect choice for any occasion.

Patisserie-inspired chocolates from Hotel Chocolat

If you’re a lover of pastries and cakes, then our Hotel Chocolat patisserie chocolate collection is perfect for you. Inspired by a range of desserts and all of your favourite cakes, our patisserie-inspired chocolate is sure to turn a few heads.

Our range of luxurious chocolate products, made with the highest quality ingredients, has been designed to bring your favourite cafe treats into edible existence. From our Carrot Cake and Tiramisu to our White Chocolate Eton Mess Selector, there’s something to tickle every taste bud. 

If you’re looking for the perfect evening tidbit curled up on the sofa, or a selection of high-cacao indulgences to entertain your party guests, browse our patisserie collection today to find your creme de la creme.