Halloween Blood Cookies

180 g unsalted butter, soft but not melted

210 g light brown, soft sugar

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla extract

240 g plain flour

6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 ½ tsp cornflour

½ tsp salt

1 tsp extra concentrated black food colouring gel (you may need more depending on the brand)

150 g dulche de leche or caramel spread

1 tsp concentrated red food colouring gel (you may need more depending on the brand)

Optional inrgedients:

20 g melted milk or dark chocolate

40 edible candy eyes

Allergens are marked in bold

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until well mixed. Add in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix again until combined.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda, corn flour, salt and black food colouring gel and mix together using a wooden spoon until combined. You want the cookie dough to be black, so you may need more gel, depending on the brand.

Scoop out heaped tablespoons of the cookie dough and roll each into a ball. Place on a tray or plate and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.

Mix together the dulche de leche and red food colouring until combined. You want a dark red colour, so you may need more colouring, depending on the brand.

After 2 hours, take the cookie dough balls out of the refrigerator. Slice the top off each ball and use your thumb to make a pocket in the ball. Fill the pocket with the dulche de leche and place the lid on top.

Smooth the edges to seal, then place the balls on a plate and freeze for 1 hour. Line 3 large baking trays with baking parchment or silicone mats and preheat the oven to CircoTherm® 165C.

Place the cookie dough balls on the trays, leaving plenty of space between each one. Place in the oven and cook for 8-9 minutes, until the cookies have spread to an even thickness. Take out of the oven and leave to cool on the baking trays.

Optional: When cool, attached candy eyes to the cookies using melted chocolate.