If you really want to make a loved one feel extra special on Valentines Day, there’s nothing like making them something delicious to eat.  And you can’t get more delicious than something sweet.  I love this giant chocolate heart cookie, I made it for Desmond on his birthday and he ate the lot!  Happy Valentines day to all of you (although I know it’s a bit belated when this issue comes out!). 

You will need: 

180g Plain Flour

20g Cocoa Powder

125g Cold Butter, cut in to small pieces

50g Soft Brown Sugar

Few drops of Vanilla Essence

Some cold water

White choc chips (optional) 

Preparation: 

Put the flour and cocoa powder in a large bowl.  Add the butter and blend together with your finger tips to resemble fine breadcrumbs.  Sprinkle in the sugar and mix in well into the breadcrumbs.  Add the vanilla essence and begin to bring the mixture together to form a ball of dough.  Add a tablespoon of cold water to bind the mixture.  You may not need anymore of this.  You should have a soft but not sticky dough.  Flour your work surface and roll out the dough to a quarter of an inch thick.  Now, carefully, using a paring knife, cut out the shape of a heart.  Carefully lift the heart on to a baking tray and preheat your oven to 180*C (gas mark 5).  Optional: you can push chocolate chips into the dough in the form of your lover’s name or the words I Love You.  Alternatively, once the cookie is cooked ice the words on instead.  Now bake the cookie in the oven for about 15 minutes then place on a wire rack to cool.   

You can put it on a cake board to present to your lover.