IT'S CHOCOLATE!

Need we say more? These recipes from Chocolate: 100 Irresistible Recipes by SHIVESH BHATIA are perfect for this month of love

- SHIVESH BHATIA

PREP TIME: 10 minutes + freezing time > COOKING TIME: 30 minutes > MAKES: 20 sticks

1. In a bowl, take the flour, cocoa powder and butter. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers until you get a sandy texture.

2. Add the condensed milk and rose extract, and give the mixture one final mix to form the cookie dough.

3. Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper until it is one centimetre thick and then freeze it for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 180° C and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

5. Once the dough is firm, use a knife to cut out one-centimetre-thick strips.

If the dough feels soft, freeze it for a few more minutes so it is easier to work with.

6. Bake the cookie sticks at 180° C for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are firm to the touch.

Once they're baked, take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.

7. Mix a few drops of pink colour into the melted white chocolate.

8. Dip half the cookie sticks into the melted pink chocolate and decorate them with dried rose petals.

JOWAR CHOCOLATE CAKE

1. Preheat the oven to 180° C. Grease a 7-inch round cake tin with oil and line it with parchment paper.

2. Sift the jowar flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl. Mix together and set aside.