Chocolate Orange, Malteser Cookies

I haven't done a cookie recipe on the blog yet so I thought now is the time! There's something a little Christmas'y about these cookies too, the flavour combination of chocolate orange reminds of that familiar little box stuffed in your stocking (you know the ones). I also really love the crunchyness of maltesers and of course more chocolate...as if whole chocolate chunks were not enough!? 

I must warn you it makes a rather large batch...I'm talking 24, but they keep well in an air tight jar or tin. Enough to last a whole week I'd say, but depends how greedy the rest of your family are eh? (or you...) You could also freeze some of the cookie dough (raw) for up to a good month or so, then just whip it out when you've got those unexpected relatives that pop round at Christmas time...and you can feel all smug with yourself when they think your a baking god/ess. (Your welcome.)

There's always that big debate surrounding cookies as to whether they should be completely chewy or have a slight crunch. Personally I like them chewy and that's where the golden syrup steps in. 

Ingredients (makes 24-25):

300g butter 300g soft light brown sugar 3 tbsp golden syrup 1 orange 450g self raising flour 90g maltesers 200g milk chocolate

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Line several large baking tray with baking paper. Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat together until pale and creamy. Next whisk in the golden syrup and add the zest of an orange and the juice of half the orange. Add 225g of the flour and mix altogether. 

Cut every malteser in half and chop the chocolate into large chunks. Then pour all the halved maltesers into the cookie dough mixture along with half of the chocolate chunks and the remaining flour. Beat until all just combined and then, with your hands, roll small pieces into smooth balls to get 24-25 altogether. Place well spaced apart on your prepared baking trays. Then push the rest of the chocolate chunks you reserved into the cookie balls and press to flatten down. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, you may have to do this in batches. 

Once cooked, leave on the baking trays to cool for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!