The Classic Monte Carlo Biscuit
Monte Carlos are two delicious, chewy coconut biscuit shells that are sandwiched together, filled with cream and a dollop of sticky raspberry jam. They’re my absolute all-time childhood favorite biscuits. In fact, my dogs are named Monty (exciting, playful and welcoming) and Carlo (sweet, simple and flaky) because they reflect these biscuits perfectly.
Makes10 biscuits (20 halves)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup 1 tbsp (185 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (110 g) caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup (185 g) self-rising flour, sifted
- 1 scant cup (115 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/2 cup (40 g) desiccated coconut
Vanilla Buttercream- 1 cup + 1 tbsp (240 g) butter, softened
- 4 cups (560 g) icing sugar
- 4 teaspoons (20 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (160 g) raspberry jam
- 2 tablespoons (20 g) icing sugar
DIRECTIONS
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Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C) and line two baking trays with baking paper. In a large mixing bowl, place the butter, sugar, vanilla and honey. Beat it all with an electric mixer on high for approximately 1 minute to cream the ingredients. Add the room-temperature egg, then mix on a medium speed for 1 minute more. Add both flours and coconut to the wet ingredients and fold through until well combined. Divide the dough into two, then roll it out into logs about 2 inches (5 cm) thick and wrap them in cling wrap. Place the dough logs in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up.
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Remove the cling wrap, then cut ½-inch (1.3-cm) disks out of the dough. Place the dough disks on the baking paper, then place in the hot oven for 15 minutes, or until golden. Allow the biscuits to cool on the tray before moving.
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For the vanilla buttercream, place the softened butter, icing sugar, milk and vanilla in a medium-sized mixing bowl, then beat with an electric mixer on high until light and fluffy.
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To assemble the Monte Carlo, sandwich two biscuits with a tablespoon of buttercream and a teaspoon of jam. Dust with icing sugar.