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.
. I made another round of this recently and we ate ALL of it with a loaf of sourdoug…
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