Ingredient: Chocolate

This recipe is for dark chocolate corn flakes cakes but a more luxury version with the inclusion of toasted pecans and a sprinkle of Maldon Salt. If stored in the fridge, these will keep for up to two weeks.

  1. Place the butter, chocolate and golden syrup into a heatproof bowl and place onto a pan of simmering water. Heat this gently until the chocolate, butter and golden syrup melt together to a smooth mixture. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. In a separate bowl mix together the cornflakes and toasted pecans. Pour the slightly cooled chocolate mixture over the cornflakes and mix well together so everything is evenly coated.
  3. Place 12 cupcake cases onto a tray and carefully fill them with the mixture. Once filled, place into the fridge and allow them to set for roughly 30 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle over some Maldon Salt and enjoy!

Salted caramel is glazed across these hot cross buns, which are filled with dark chocolate, sultanas, and spices. They are perfect when toasted and spread with lovely whipped, salted butter.

  1. In a large bowl mix together the flour, yeast, caster sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon, and a large pinch of Maldon salt. In a separate bowl mix together the warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and then pour in the egg mixture. Mix this together in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. If you don’t have a stand mixer you can knead by hand on the surface for approximately 10 minutes.
  2. Place the dough into a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover with clingfilm or a tea towel in a slightly warm place until it has doubled in size – this will take roughly an hour.
  3. Once the dough has risen, knock back the air and then tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and stretch it out. Sprinkle across the chocolate chips and the sultanas and then knead once more until they are evenly incorporated throughout – you can do this in the stand mixer again, if available.
  4. Divide the mixture into 8 equal balls and round them until smooth in your hands. Place them onto a lined baking sheet with a little gap between each to allow them to grow. Cover this loosely with some clingfilm and give them a second prove for 20 minutes until they have puffed up. Preheat the oven to 180C.
  5. In a small bowl mix together the plain flour with roughly 50 ml of water (you may need more), until you have a thick paste. Spoon this mixture into a piping bag and then carefully pipe lines across the top of each bun to make the Hot Cross Bun’s crosses. Place them into the middle of the oven and back for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown and puffed up.
  6. Once baked, remove from the oven and then, whilst still warm, brush over the salted caramel sauce with a pastry brush. Finally sprinkle over a last pinch of Maldon Salt. Serve warm or toasted, alongside some whipped butter.

This rich, dark chocolate torte is made with a short and buttery dark chocolate pastry and a creamy ganache filling. The Maldon Salt on top pairs perfectly with the rich, dark chocolate for a sophisticated dessert.

Start by making the pastry.

  1. Beat together the butter and caster sugar together until combined – you don’t need to whip until it’s light and fluffy though, only until the two are combined. Next add in the egg and mix until combined. In another bowl mix together the plain flour and the cocoa powder, then sieve this in batches to the butter mixture. Bring the pastry dough together until smooth and cohesive and then clingfilm and place into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
  2. After it has chilled for 30 minutes, take the pastry out of the fridge, and carefully line a 23cm fluted tart tin and prick the base with a fork. Place the lined tart tin into the fridge and chill again for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180C.
  3. Fill the chilled tart case with baking paper and baking beans, and place on a tray in the oven to blind back for 15 minutes. Remove the paper and beans and then return to the oven for a further 5 – 10 minutes until it has a chalky texture and is no longer greasy. Remove from the oven and set aside.

To make the filling:

  1. Put the cream, sugar and Maldon salt in a pan and bring to scalding point. Once the sugar has dissolved but before the cream starts to boil, take it off the heat and add the butter and broken chocolate. Allow it to sit for a minute before whisking it together to form a smooth ganache. Then add the milk and stir again, it should be lovely and smooth and glossy.
  2. Pour the filling into your tart case and use the back of a spoon to create peaks in the chocolate. Allow the filling to set at room temperature for approximately 1 hour. Once set, sprinkle over some remaining Maldon salt for garnish and then serve.

There’s something truly special about baking cookies that feel both indulgent and nourishing – and these homemade oat cookies are just that. Packed with wholesome rolled oats, rich dark chocolate, chewy dried fruits and a medley of chopped nuts, they’re bound together with creamy cashew and almond butter for a decadent texture and taste. The magic touch? A pinch of Maldon Sea Sat flakes, which enhances every flavour and adds a subtle crunch.

Finished with decorative chocolate swirls on top, these cookies are perfect for cosy autumn gatherings, thoughtful homemade gifts, or simply treating yourself after a long day. Every bite is a celebration of comfort, craft and a little salty-sweet sophistication!

How to Make Oat Biscuits With Dried Fruits, Nuts and Chocolate

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl mix together the oats, Maldon Sea Salt, baking powder, chopped nuts and dried fruit. Set aside.
  3. In a smaller bowl, mix together the cashew butter, almond butter, maple syrup and coconut sugar. Stir until well combined and the coconut sugar has dissolved.
  4. Pour this wet mixture into the larger bowl with the dry ingredients and mix together until well distributed and combined.
  5. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll together in your hands – roughly the size of a golf ball. Place onto the lined baking sheets with a 2inch gap in between and press down gently to flatten slightly. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 10 – 12 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets.
  6. Once cool, use the melted dark chocolate to drizzle across the tops of the cookies. Sprinkle with a final pinch of Maldon salt and then allow the chocolate to set before serving.

FAQ

We’ve partnered with the wonderful Ravneet Gill to create this extraordinary Christmas cheesecake, here’s how it’s done.

  1. Start by making the base…
  2. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a food processor combine all of the dry ingredients and mix well, add in the cold cubed butter and breadcrumb.
  3. Add the golden syrup and mix until a very loose dough is formed.
  4. Spread this mixture out onto a large baking tray lined with parchment.
  5. Bake for 35-40 mins at 160 fan/180 oven, stirring every 15 minutes to evenly bake the dough.
  6. Allow to cool completely before blitzing to crumbs or breaking up with a rolling pin.
  7. Weigh out 250g of crumbs and stir with the melted butter.
  8. Press into a lined 8 inch springform cake tin going on the bottom and slightly up the sides.
  9. Place in the fridge whilst you make the filling

Make the topping:

  1. In a large bowl or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, caster sugar, mascarpone and half of the double cream.
  2. Mix until well combined but do not over mix.
  3. Add in the malt powder, salt and melted white chocolate with the second ½ of the cream.
  4. Mix slowly until combined, do not over mix.
  5. Spoon this mixture into the lined cake tin and smooth the top.
  6. Chill for 6 hours in the fridge or overnight before serving.

Make the chocolate sauce for serving (optional):

  1. In a saucepan combine the chocolate and the water, stir gently over a medium heat until a sauce forms. Serve the cheesecake with the sauce and extra cookie crumbs.

Do you want to find out how to make the best hot cross buns? Well look no further – We’ve created a delicious recipe with a fun twist from the classic hot cross buns!

Using chopped dark chocolate and cacao powder in the dough, these buns hold a fantastic, rich flavour whilst also being super soft and dense in texture. We also infused mixed spiced and peel to give a comforting warmth to the bun. Once gently baked in the oven, the chocolate pieces and citrus fruits ooze with flavour, making it the perfect addition to your Easter Sunday Brunch when slathering a generous helping of butter on to the sweet treat!

If you want to become more creative in the way you make your hot cross buns, check out our delicious Salted Caramel and Dark Chocolate Hot Cross Buns to really impress your guests this Easter.

Why add Maldon Salt to your Hot Cross Buns?

Adding a pinch of Maldon Salt as a topper to your hot cross buns will allow the sweetness of the dark chocolate and raisins to enhance, whilst counteracting the bitterness of the citrus peel that is mixed within the dough.

A sprinkling of Maldon Salt will also give a gentle crunch of texture once you bite into these fluffy buns, creating a wonderful treat to be enjoyed amongst family and friends this Easter.

How to Make Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

  1. In a small saucepan, heat together the butter and milk gently until the butter is melted and the mixture is lukewarm. Set aside to cool down.
  2. In a large bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, mixed spice, Maldon Salt and yeast.
  3. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and slowly pour half the butter and milk mixture. Mix this together and then add the beaten egg. Now, begin mixing with your hands to form a soft dough.
  4. Either tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand or you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth, soft and elastic.
  5. In a separate bowl, lightly oil the inside and place the dough into it. Cover with clingfilm and allow it to prove for 1 hour in a warm place, or until it has doubled in size.
  6. After 1 hour of proving, remove the clingfilm and knock the air out of the dough.
  7. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and add the chopped chocolate, raisins and citrus peel by stretching and folding the dough to incorporate, making sure the fruit is evenly distributed throughout.
  8. Now divide the dough into 12 equal size balls. Shape them by rolling between your palm and the surface so they are smooth and even. Place the balls onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and space them with roughly 2 – 3cm gap between them.
  9. Loosely cover the tray with clingfilm and leave again in a warm place for 45 – 60 minutes until they have doubled in size again. They should be puffed up and just touching.
  10. Preheat the oven to 200C.
  11. Make the flour mixture by mixing together the plain flour, olive oil and water. Beat together until it forms a smooth paste and then transfer into a piping bag.
  12. Once the buns have proved and risen, carefully remove the clingfilm.
  13. Pipe the crosses across the top of the buns. Then place into the middle of the oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  14. Remove from the oven and brush the tops with golden syrup so they are glistening and then sprinkle with Maldon Salt.
  15. These buns are best served slightly warm so the chocolate chunks are oozy and melted.

How to create:
1. Grease the base and sides of an 18cm square cake tin.
2. Line with baking paper, allowing the sides to overhang.
3. Place peanuts, cacao, Maldon salt and half of the oats in a food processor and pulse until just finely chopped.
4. Add the raisins, oil, maple syrup and remaining oats. Process until well combined.
5. Press into base of prepared pan.
6. Use a straight-sided glass to smooth the surface.
7. Place in the fridge for 1 hour or until firm.
8. For the filling, blend the banana, peanut butter, raisins, oil, maple syrup, flour and Maldon salt, scraping down the sides occasionally, until very smooth. Spread over oat base and use a spatula to smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 2 hours or until firm.

9. For the chocolate topping, place the coconut oil and maple syrup in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water).
10. When melted add the cacao powder and stir constantly for 3 minutes or until mixture is smooth and thickened.
11. Pour over the filling. Smooth the surface. Sprinkle with extra peanuts and Maldon salt.
12. Place in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight to set.

How to create:

  1. Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a glass bowl over hot water until it has melted.
  2. Once the chocolate is completely melted add the almonds and Maldon Salt and mix well, pour the contents into a silicon mould and allow to cool.
  3. After 4 hours or so of setting it should be ready to eat!

How to create:

  1. Cut 185g unsalted butter into small cubes and tip into a bowl. Break 185g dark chocolate into small pieces and drop into the bowl.
  2. Fill a small saucepan about a quarter full with hot water, then sit the bowl on top so it rests on the rim of the pan, not touching the water. Put over a low heat until the butter and chocolate have melted, stirring occasionally to mix them.
  3. Remove the bowl from the pan. Leave the melted mixture to cool to room temperature.
  4. While you wait for the chocolate to cool, position a shelf in the middle of your oven and turn the oven on to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
  5. Using a shallow 20cm square tin, cut out a square of non-stick baking parchment to line the base. Tip 85g plain flour and 40g cocoa powder into a sieve held over a medium bowl. Tap and shake the sieve so they run through together and you get rid of any lumps.
  6. Chop 50g white chocolate and 50g milk chocolate into chunks on a board.
  7. Break 3 large eggs into a large bowl and tip in 275g golden caster sugar. With an electric mixer on maximum speed, whisk the eggs and sugar. They will look thick and creamy, like a milk shake. This can take 3-8 minutes, depending on how powerful your mixer is. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture becomes really pale and about double its original volume. Another check is to turn off the mixer, lift out the beaters and wiggle them from side to side. If the mixture that runs off the beaters leaves a trail on the surface of the mixture in the bowl for a second or two, you’re there.
  8. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture over the eggy mousse, then gently fold together with a rubber spatula. Plunge the spatula in at one side, take it underneath and bring it up the opposite side and in again at the middle. Continue going under and over in a figure of eight, moving the bowl round after each folding so you can get at it from all sides, until the two mixtures are one and the colour is a mottled dark brown. The idea is to marry them without knocking out the air, so be as gentle and slow as you like.
  9. Hold the sieve over the bowl of eggy chocolate mixture and resift the cocoa and flour mixture, shaking the sieve from side to side, to cover the top evenly.
  10. Gently fold in this powder using the same figure of eight action as before. The mixture will look dry and dusty at first, and a bit unpromising, but keep going very gently and patiently. Stop just before you feel you should, as you don’t want to overdo this mixing.
  11. Finally, stir in the white and milk chocolate chunks until they’re dotted throughout.
  12. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, scraping every bit out of the bowl with the spatula. Gently ease the mixture into the corners of the tin and paddle the spatula from side to side across the top to level it. Sprinkle with Maldon Salt.
  13. Put in the oven and set your timer for 25 mins. When the buzzer goes, open the oven, pull the shelf out a bit and gently shake the tin. If the cake wobbles in the middle, it’s not quite done, so slide it back in and bake for another 5 minutes until the top has a shiny, papery crust and the sides are just beginning to come away from the tin. Take out of the oven.
  14. Leave the whole thing in the tin until completely cold, then lift out the cake with the foil. Cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into four squares.