Macadamia Melting Moments

Macadamia Melting Moments were inspired by some confectionery I bought on a recent trip to Blenheim. Just off SH1 between Picton and Blenheim is Makana Confections.  On entering the shop, customers are presented with a sample to try.  My sample was Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch.  It was divine!!  The toffee was light, crisp and melted deliciously in the mouth.  Needless to say, that day I added to the profits of Makana Confections!

With these biscuits, I have tried to emulate the lightness, crispness and melt-in-the-mouth sensation of that delicious confection.

When ground, Macadamia Nuts form a paste extremely quickly.  I use them in this state for these biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 25g soft butter
• ⅓ cup sugar, slightly heaped
• 1½ cups ground macadamia nuts, loosely packed
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ cup white rice flour

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 190ºC.  Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Beat together egg, butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.  When beaten together, these ingredients sometimes have almost a curdled look.  This does not affect the outcome of the baked biscuits.

Add the ground nuts and mix in thoroughly.  Add the flour and baking powder, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

Roll teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on the baking tray.  The raw mixture leaves the hands quite oily!  Flatten the biscuits to about 3-4mm.

Bake for 15 minutes until golden.