Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscuit Squares

Place digestives in a plastic bag, remove all the air and tie a knot in the top. Crush into crumbs by gently hitting with a rolling pin. Alternatively, you can break down the biscuits in a food processor.

In a bowl, stir the melted butter into the crushed digestives.

Transfer biscuit mix to a lined or greased square baking tin (9 x 9 inches). Use a spatula to press down the biscuits, making sure the crumbs reach into all the corners and are evenly spread across the base of the tin. Place the tin in the fridge for 20 minutes in order to set the biscuit base.

Whilst the base is in the fridge, prepare the peanut filling by mixing together the peanut butter, syrup and vanilla extract.

After 20 minutes, remove the tin from the fridge. Carefully spread the peanut filling over the biscuit. Use a spatula or cake slice to get an even finish. Return to the fridge for another 20 minutes.

Prepare the chocolate by setting up a bain-marie. Pour 1 cm of water into a large pan and bring to the boil. Balance a large heat proof bowl over the top of the pan; do not let the water touch the base of the bowl. Add chocolate and soft butter to the bowl and let it gradually melt. You shouldn’t need to touch the bowl until the chocolate is completely melted. However, be careful of the steam when you do remove the bowl from the pan. (Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave. Heat for 20 seconds at a time, then check and stir. Repeat until fully melted.)

Once the chocolate is melted, set to one side to cool slightly. Remove the tin from the fridge and pour the slightly cooled chocolate over the peanut layer. Spread evenly again using the spatula. Finish off by dragging the spatula lightly across the top of the chocolate in lines from left to right. This will create a ripple effect as it sets.

Leave to set in a cool dry place or, if you can’t wait that long, return once again to the fridge. However, leaving it to set out of the fridge will help the chocolate to retain its shine and colour.

Check to see if the chocolate is set before turning out of the tin and slicing into squares. Enjoy!