Recipe Vortex

125 g (4.5 oz / 9 tbsp) unsalted butter

80 g (2.8 oz / 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp) light brown sugar

2 tbsp golden syrup

80 g (2.8 oz) (1 cup) quick cooking oats

4 tbsp wheat germ , (or use more oats)

100 g (3.5 oz / 1 cup minus 2 tbsp) wholemeal flour

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda , (baking soda)

1/2 tsp baking powder OR bakers ammonia

1/2 tsp salt

100 g dark , (plain/semi-sweet) chocolate, chopped

1 tsp coconut oil or butter

Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F). Line two baking trays with baking paper.

In a large bowl with a wooden spoon or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachments, cream together the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until pale and smooth. Add the golden syrup and beat to combine. Stir in the oats and wheatgerm followed by the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.

Take about two teaspoons of dough and roll into a ball. Place onto one of the prepared trays and press down lightly in the middle so that it spreads to about 4cm wide. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving a few centimetres between each ball as they will flatten and spread as they bake.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and the kitchen smells like toasty oats. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Don't worry if the biscuits feel slightly soft; they should firm up and become crunchy as they cool.

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Spoon a little bit of chocolate onto the top of each biscuit and use a palette knife, butter knife or the back of a spoon to spread it over the surface. Set them aside to harden. Place any remaining chocolate into a sandwich bag and cut the tip of one corner off. Use like a piping bag to drizzle chocolate over the chocolate-coated biscuits in a cross hatch pattern. Leave to set again.

Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.