If you have been on one of AUIP’s New Zealand or Australia programs then you will have undoubtedly come across Tim Tams. For those of you that have not had the pleasure, Tim Tam’s are a brand of chocolate cookie currently manufactured by Arnott’s in Australia. A Tim Tam is made up of two layers of chocolate malted cookie, traditionally separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a thin layer of chocolate, although there is now a huge variety of fillings and coatings. According to Arnott’s, around 35 million packs are sold each year: nearly 400 million cookies, an average of approximately 1.7 packs per Australian per year.
Tim Tam’s are one of the most requested item that AUIP’s Eleanor is asked to bring back from Australia to the U.S. and we hear of many of our alumni searching them out in specialty stores all over the U.S. Well now, Lauren Eisemann, one of our alumni from the 2011 Buckeyes Abroad North Queensland program has found a recipe online to make homemade Tim Tams:
Homemade Tim Tams (GF) – makes 14
- •1pkt chocolate tea biscuits
•1/2 cup cream
•2 tbs chocolate spread
•60g +400g milk chocolate
•1/2 cup icing sugar
•1tsp coconut oil
1.Heat cream in microwave, then add chocolate spread, icing sugar and 60g milk chocolate, chopped, and stir to combine.
2.Chill in fridge for 1 –2 hours.
3.Take one biscuit and spread with chocolate cream. Sandwich with another biscuit, repeat until all the biscuits and chocolate cream have been used. Freeze for 20 minutes.
4.Meanwhile, melt remaining 400g milk chocolate. Stir through coconut oil and mix until shiny.
5.One at a time, dip the filled biscuits in the melted chocolate, tapping gently to remove excess chocolate. Place on a tray lined with baking paper, repeat.
6.Refrigerate for 1 – 2 hours or until the chocolate has set.
Lauren tells us they are a pretty good substitute when you can’t get the real thing and we think you could probably alter the filling and coating to make your favorite flavor or make up your own! Caramel filling with chopped almond coating anyone? Let us know if you try them and how they taste!
