INGREDIENTS

For the filling:

■ 5 tablespoons dried grated coconut

■ 2-1/2 tablespoons of pine nuts, ground

■ 17g|1/2oz cream crackers, ground, approximately 2 pieces

■ 1 teaspoon of sliced almonds, toasted and ground

■ 1/2 cup|90g of caster sugar

■ 3/4 cup|180ml of water

■ 1/2 teaspoon of butter

■ pinch of ground cloves

For the pastry:

■ 1/4 cup|45g of caster sugar

■ 20g|2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

■ 1/2 cup|60g of plain flour, plus extra for dusting

■ pinch of baking powder

■ 1 egg yolk

■ 1/2 tablespoon of water

DIRECTIONS

For the filling:

1. Lightly toast the almond slices in a dry frying pan over medium heat until just browned 2-3 minutes, remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Break the cream crackers into a blender, and process to fine crumbs, add the pine nuts and toasted almonds and process till mixed.

3. Heat the caster sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat to boiling and let it boil for 4-5 minutes. Add the dried coconut, ground crackers, nuts and butter to the sugar syrup and mix through. Bring the mixture back to a boil and cook stirring to form a dense paste that detaches from the sides and bottom of the pan when stirred, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the ground clove and transfer the filling to a bowl to cool.

For the pastry:

4. In a mixing bowl beat the sugar with the butter, sift in the flour and baking powder, mix through and then mix in the egg yolk. Add a 1/2 tablespoon water to bring the mix together and transfer to a lightly floured kneading surface.  Knead for 2-3 minutes to form a soft dough.

5. Line a baking tray with non-stick paper

6. On a floured surface roll out half of the dough to a 35cm x 6cm|14" x 2.5" rectangle. Take a teaspoon of filling and roll it to a 3cm | 1in. log with damp hands, place about 1cm|1/2"  from the right (long) edge of dough. Continue placing logs of filling down the edge about 1/2cm|1/4" apart. Pick up the right (long) edge with a palette knife and fold the dough over the logs, then roll so the filling is just covered. Cut off any excess dough, and with a knife cut between the logs of filling to form the cookies.

7. Check the edges of the cookies are closed, pinch together if not. Impress a diamond pattern on the tops using a palette knife or knife and place on the baking tray.  Roll out the remaining dough and continue forming the cookies. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes or until ready to bake.

8. Pre-heat the oven to 175˚C|350˚F and bake the cookies for 15 minutes, until lightly browned on the bottom. Transfer to a rack to cool and store in an air-tight container.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE

1 serving (of 18): 58 calories, 11.6g fat (0.6g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 10.7g carbohydrates (7.7g sugars, 0.3g fibre), protein 0.8g.