Marvellous maple melting moments

Melting Moments are a perennial favourite among those with a sweet tooth. They are easy to make and this version, with a maple-tinted filling, make a fantastic Christmas treat.

If maple syrup isn’t for you, substitute a few drops of your favourite essence, zest or a tablespoon of fruit pulp.

For the biscuits, you will need:

• 250g butter
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup cornflour

For the filling:

• 50g butter, softened
• 3/4 cup icing sugar
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

Beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until creamy. Sift together the flour and cornflour, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. The mixture will resemble breadcrumbs.

Roll heaped teaspoonfuls into balls and place on a baking tray. Press down lightly with a fork. Note: the biscuits won’t spread, so the size you press is the finished size of the biscuit.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the biscuits are firm and lightly golden, but not brown. When biscuits have cooled, join in pairs with a generous spread of the filling (beat all filling ingredients together to form a smooth, spreadable consistency).

Store in an airtight container.