My first batch of Romany Creams were a little to chubby. But, Dave and I made do, and devoured all of them. The second lot worked out perfectly which I was well pleased about. For those of you who have not heard of them, Romany Creams are a classic South African chocolate and coconut biscuit. They have to be crunchy with a good layer of chocolate.
Head straight on to the Recipe For Romany Creams ♥
I have an electric toothbrush that is possessed! In April I went up to see my parents and sister. The night I arrived my toothbrush would not work. I had charged it fully before I left and had not taken the charger with me. I loathe using it without the vibration and so the next morning I went to buy an ordinary toothbrush. Well, not so ordinary as it has a battery in it, and pulses. This is not as powerful as my electric one, but I made do. The day I got back home I pressed the power button by mistake, and it worked! I was not impressed, and thought maybe I had not turned it on properly when I was away. The following week when I went back to Johannesburg I had the same problem.
Today’s inspiration ♥ Recipe For Romany Creams ♥ can be found on Lavender and Lime Click To Tweet
I thought that maybe I had turned it on during the flight in error. Just before we left for overseas I charged the toothbrush and packed it in our overnight bag. At midnight, on our second flight, I went to go and brush my teeth. And the toothbrush did not work! I think there is something about the aeroplane and the toothbrush that affects the battery. Well, that is my story, and I am sticking to it. Logically I know this is not possible but, it has happened once too often. I have decided that it is not worth the risk and so have swapped toothbrushes. My toothbrush is bright pink so we will be travelling with a little bit of colour in future.
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Romany Creams
Ingredients
- 15 g cocoa powder
- 125 mls boiling water
- 250 g butter, cubed
- 130 g coconut sugar
- 290 g self-raising flour, sifted
- 135 g desiccated coconut, lightly toasted
- 100 g dark chocolate
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°Celsius
- Pour the cocoa powder into a small mixing bowl and whisk in the boiling water until the cocoa dissolves, then set aside to cool
- Place the butter and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and cream until light and fluffy
- Add the cocoa and beat for 1 minute, then slowly add the flour with the mixer on a slow speed
- Do the same with the desiccated coconut and mix until the dough comes together
- Roll into small balls * and place onto a lined baking tray
- Flatten with a fork lightly dusted in flour, and place the tray into the oven and bake for 15 minutes
- Remove from the oven and transfer the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool completely
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave and then sandwich the biscuits together
- Allow to cool and harden completely before serving.
Notes
Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime October 19:
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- 2016 – Schoone Oordt
- 2015 – Turmeric Tea
- 2014 – The Boy That Never Was
- 2012 – Gordon Ramsay, Ultimate Cookery Course – Give Away
- 2011 – Chocolate Mousse
- 2010 – Rosewater And Pistachio Ice Cream
Tandy, I think this is the best recipe you have ever posted on your blog! It just suits my taste buds entirely in every single way. Oh, my love for chocolate and coconut. And now you have me wondering about South African chocolate! Swooning over this one….
Thank you so much Laura. These are a childhood favourite of mine.
Dark chocolate and coconut…a very tasty combination. I can see why this would be a favorite cookie.
They are very tasty!
Ooh I’ve got to try these! I’ve never heard of these before but I do so enjoy South African recipes 😀
I’m sure Nina will help you eat them xx
I think I mentioned on FB that I’d never heard of Romany Creams. A mysterious name from a time gone by. I like the sound of them and the fact that hey are crunchy. I wonder is they are somewhat similar to Arnott’s ‘Kingstons’ that we have in Aus. Your sister would be able to confirm or deny. As to the toothbrush, we’ve had similar issues. I think it happens when they are coming to the end of their lives.
My toothbrush is brand new which is what bothers me the most 🙂 I shall have to ask Kerry about the biscuits.
i’ve never had these before! but anything with a generous amount of chocolate sounds great to me (:
I am with you on that!
I also have a recipe for Romany creams, Tandy. I am going to compare and see if there are differences. These look great.
I used coconut sugar which is not in any other recipes I’ve seen. Please let me know.
Bad toothbrush! I’ve never had Romany Creams, but they sounds wonderful. I love making cookies and if I can round-up all the ingredients here, I’ll be making a batch or two.
Let me know if you do 🙂