Amanda Laird: Maori kisses

Maori kisses. Photo / Babiche Martens

Melt-in-the-mouth chocolate biscuits with a sweet cream filling

Makes 30 small biscuits joined together

100g butter
125g sugar
2 eggs
2 cups plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs cocoa powder
1/2 cup dates, finely chopped
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, finely chopped
150g dark chocolate

FILLING

125g icing sugar, sifted
1 Tbs softened butter
1 Tbs sherry
3 drops vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Cream butter and sugar until pale. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well.

2. Sift the dry ingredients, mix in the dates and walnuts. Spoon teaspoonfuls on to greased or baking paper lined trays and bake for 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool.

3. To make the filling, mix the icing sugar with the butter until smooth then add the sherry and vanilla.

4. Gently melt the chocolate either in the microwave or in a small bowl over simmering water - stir until smooth. Dip half of the biscuits in the chocolate, then let cool.

5. Assemble the biscuits by spreading a little filling onto the bases, then top with the chocolate-dipped lids.