Adding herbs to bakes and drinks is something I really like to do. I like the botanical flavour that herbs can bring to various dishes and I think woody herbs really suit being paired with chocolate. These chocolate, thyme and lemon shortbread biscuits are a delicious combination of flavours if I do say so myself and if you’re unsure about adding herbs to a biscuit you’ll just have to give it a try!
Ingredients
You will need (for 12 squares):
- 180g plain flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 50g caster sugar
- 150g softened butter
- 50g dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1tsp dried thyme
- Zest 1 lemon
Method
Preheat your oven to 160C and line a baking dish; I used a square one for this batch but round or circular dishes work just as well.
Put all of the ingredients into a large bowl, or mixer, and beat together until they form a dough. Remove from the bowl and knead lightly.
Press the dough into the tin, spreading it out evenly, then prick the top of the shortbread with a fork. Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven, mark into squares then leave to cool before removing the biscuits from the dish.
You can’t go wrong with a dark chocolate shortbread biscuit, and that’s certainly the case when they’re served warm from the oven. The added thyme gives a little warmth and herbal note which coupled with the fresh, zesty lemon is just the thing with a cup of tea. Dried thyme works well in this as I think the oils in fresh thyme might taint a little as it gets baked in the oven. I have previously tried a similar combination of flavours with my chocolate, rosemary and hazelnut biscuits. I would like to try infusing some bay with a white chocolate mousse or sauce at some point in the future too.
Shortbread is the BEST! Love the combo of chocolate, thyme and lemon.
This short bread looks perfect Andi am actually feeling thrilled about the flavor of thyme.. i never tried that out … ?
Love shortbread. This looks and sounds wonderful!
What great additions to shortbread, I love the idea of herbs adding subtle notes. I really must give this a try.
What a wonderful combination! I’ve made rosemary-lemon shortbread but adding the chocolate is brilliant!
these sound awesome! i think herbs make baked goods so much more interesting, and they help make for a much more balanced (and less sweet!) dessert too (:
Love shortbread! So good, isn’t it? And wow, really love how you’ve flavored it! Chocolate and thyme? Sounds like a nifty duo! Good stuff — thanks.
YUM. These look so delicious! I love adding herbs to baked goods. It gives it such a unique flavor! This looks especially nommy since it’s chocolate :). You can count me in!
i love slipping herbs in unexpected places! i’ve never tried this particular combination, but i’m intrigued and shortbread is a great vehicle for it!
This sounds like such an amazing flavour combination! And you really cannot go wrong with shortbread 😀 x