Florentine Cupcakes Recipes

FLORENTINES (ITALY)

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Pulse the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, but not pasty. Stir together the nuts, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.
• Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, then pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, 30 minutes.
• Scoop rounded teaspoons (for 3-inch cookies) or rounded tablespoons (for 6-inch cookies) of batter and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 to 4 inches between each cookie since they spread.
• Bake 1 pan at a time, until the cookies are thin and an even golden brown color throughout, rotating pans halfway through baking time, about 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve.
• Optional chocolate topping: Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very low simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 1 minute. Stir, and continue heat until completely melted, about 1 to 2 minutes more.)
• For sandwiches: Drop about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate onto on the flat side of half of the cookies and press together with remaining halves. Return to rack and let chocolate set.
• For chocolate decor: Drizzle melted chocolate over Florentines as desired. Set aside at room temperature until chocolate is set.

FLORENTINE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole 2-tablespoon capacity flat-based patty pan with paper cases.
• Using an hand electric mixer, cream the butter and caster sugar until it is pale and creamy; add the egg and beat until the ingredients are well-combined; sift the flour over the butter mixture and stir gently to combine; stir in the cream; two-thirds fill each paper case with the mixture and smooth the surface.
• The Florentine Topping: Combine the butter, brown sugar and cream in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl; microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minutes or until smooth; stir in the flour, almonds, apricots and cherries and spoon the topping over the cupcakes.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden; allow to completely cool in the pan; then transfer to a serving plate.
• Spoon the melted chocolate into a snap-lock bag, seal and snip off 1 corner. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cakes and serve.

QUICHE FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Prick pie shell with a fork.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and cook until heated through and dark green, about 5 minutes. Drain well and let cool.
• Combine Swiss cheese and flour in a bag. Seal and shake until cheese is coated.
• Whisk milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Stir in spinach and flour-coated Swiss cheese. Pour into the cooled pie shell.
• Bake in the preheated oven until middle is set, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.