What better recipe for a romance novelist to try than one for a delicious Italian sweet treat called ‘Lady’s Kisses’? American readers may spot a striking resemblance between these and the US-originating whoopie pies. For both one element is key: the filling! And any biscuits sandwiched with chocolate are bound to hit the spot…

Ingredients:

200 g toasted hazelnut, finely ground

200 g caster sugar

200 g unsalted butter, left out to soften

250 g flour

250g fine dark chocolate

1. Cream the sugar and butter.
2. Sift on the ground hazelnut and flour and combine to a dough.
3. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and rest it in the fridge for at least an hour.
4. Shape into small balls and place on a lined baking tray.
5. Bake for 30 minutes in a moderate oven.
6. Allow to cool.
7. Melt the chocolate.
8. Spread a little chocolate on two baci at a time and ‘kiss’ them together.

If hazelnut biscuits aren’t your favourite, how about meringue instead? The Venetian treat baci al gondola(kisses in the gondola) is made the same way, but with chocolate-striped meringue swirls to ‘kiss’ the chocolate filling.