9 oz (250g) plain white flour
1oz (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
6 oz brown sugar
2 oz butter or margarine
1 egg
3 fl oz (90 ml) water
Chocolate Glaze
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 oz (75g) icing sugar
1 oz (25g) walnuts, finely chopped
3 tablespoons water
1. In a medium-size bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves (optional) and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl cream together the sugar and margarine. Add the egg and mix well.
3.Alternately add the flour mixture and the water to the ingredients in the larger bowl. Stir until the the mixture forms a soft dough. If the mixture is too wet, add a little flour.
4.Set the oven to Gas Mark 6 (200ºC/400º) then, with cocoa-dusted hands, shape rounded teaspoons of the dough into 1''balls. Place the balls 2'' inches apart on large, ungreased biscuit trays.
5.Bake the biscuits for 7-9 minutes, or until they are puffed and slightly cracked. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6.When the biscuits are cool, prepare the chocolate glaze. Sift the cocoa into a small bowl and gradually stir in 3 tablespoons of boiling water. Add the icing sugar and mix well.
7.Dip the top of each biscuit into the glaze, then sprinkle with the chopped nuts. Return to wire rack; set over greaseproof paper to catch any drips. Allow the glaze to set (about 20 minutes). Store the biscuits in an airtight tin, with greaseproof paper between the layers.