Chocolate Oat Cookies

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of butter (1 1/8 cup), softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of castor sugar (berry sugar)
• 1 large room temperature egg
• 1 tsp of pure vanilla essence
• Scant 2 cups of self-raising flour
• 2 cups of dark semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup of rolled oats
• Smarties, colored sprinkles or nuts for topping

Preparation:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Line 1-2 baking sheets with baking paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla essence and beat well to combine.
4. Sift the flour into the butter/sugar mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Add 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1 cup of oats and continue to stir until just combined.
5. Roll the batter into balls about the size of 1 tablespoonful. Place on baking sheet/s about 1.5 inches apart. Press the balls down slightly with the back of a spoon and then bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Remove cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 3-4 minutes before transferring to a cooking rack. Repeat process.
7. Meanwhile, place the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips in a metal bowl. Place the bowl on top of a saucepan filled with water. Bring the water to the boil, all the while stirring the chocolate chips until they melt into a smooth consistency. Turn the heat down low and keep the chocolate warm.
8. Once the cookies have cooled slightly spread about 1 teaspoon of chocolate onto them and then top with smarties, sprinkles or nuts.