This is quite possibly my 6th attempt to make this, always following different versions of the same recipe and ending up with rocks that I could use as weapons. But the other day, I discovered a cookbook from 1997 and decided to try the recipe one more time based on their instructions and I am happy to say, they finally came out soft!! I think the fact that everyone and anyone can make a cookbook these days just means it’s hard to find something that works. Anyway, I am happy with the results and will definitely try this recipe again.

I am still trying to bake lol haven’t given up yet. I was a little afraid that this might be beyond my skill level to have chocolate and vanilla swirls in a cake! Too technical – but it was doable and I think it was a success! I reduced the sugar of the original recipe which required 200g – for me the sweetness was fine, It is dry on it’s own but really nice when combined with custard!

Chocolate orange is one of the few combinations I like (when adding things to chocolate) – I don’t like any distraction from the taste of the chocolate, for example mint chocolate. What an awful thing to eat, I get all the calories of the chocolate yet the taste of mint. I was a little skeptical I would taste the orange from just the orange rind but I managed to stop myself ruining the recipe by adding the juice.

Apple crumble cookies!! They were soft and crumbly! They did not really taste like apples and were way too sweet – next time I will use half the sugar and maybe add some apple sauce?