Brandy Snap Baskets Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160 fan/ gas mark 4 and two baking trays with baking parchment.
• Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan and heat gently until the butter and sugar have melted. Put the flour and ginger in a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the lemon zest and juice and the brandy. Pour in the butter mixture and gradually beat it into the flour until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
• Use a teaspoon to dollop 3 - 4 heaps of mixture onto the prepared baking tray. A heaped tsp is enough for a cigar and two heaped teaspoons is enough for a basket. Space them well apart as they will spread. Cook in batches for 8 - 10 mins until set, golden brown and lacy in appearance. Do not allow to go too dark as they will taste bitter. Leave for a minute before shaping - the snaps should still be pliable but set enough to move without tearing.
• You can shape the brandy snaps into cigars or baskets. To make cigars, oil the handle of a wooden spoon and wrap the brandy snap around. If you have a long handle or more than one spoon, you can do a few at a time. The base of the biscuits should be the bit that touches the spoon so that the top 'presentation' side of the biscuit is seen. Transfer to a cooling rack. To make baskets, oil the base of small ramekins or narrow tumblers and drape the biscuits over them. The top of the biscuit should touch the base this time as this is the bit you'll see.
• Pipe whipped cream into the cigars or use the baskets or cones for ice cream and berries. If not using straightway, store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Steps:

• Combine first three ingredients and cook for 1 1/2-2 minutes on HIGH until melted.
• Stir in plain flour.
• Preheat oven to 180deg C.
• Spoon a quarter of the mixture into a greased 20 cm round cake tin.
• Bake on low rack for 8 minutes on CONVECTION at 180Deg C.
• Allow to cool slightly.
• Turn out onto a small mould and shape into baskets.
• Continue to make baskets with remaining mixture.
• Fill baskets with ice cream and raspberries.

Steps:

• Reserve a few raspberries for decoration. Put the rest in a bowl and mash roughly with a fork. Fold in the fromage frais and the lemon curd and divide the mixture between the brandy snap baskets. Top with the remaining raspberries and almonds, then serve straight away.

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 2 mins on High, stirring halfway through. Meanwhile, stir together the lemon curd and the crème fraîche.
• Divide half the raspberries between the baskets, spoon over the lemon cream and top with the rest of the berries. Drizzle the dark chocolate over the tops of the baskets and leave in the fridge to set for 5-10 mins or up to 1 hr.