A couple of weeks ago I was a guest of Mondelez International to the launch of their new Tassimo Range in Ireland.  I was lucky enough to receive a machine to try out at home myself and so today I’ve a Tassimo review and coffee biscuits for you to try out.

I’d spotted the packets of “T-Discs” in my local Tesco a couple of weeks beforehand. The packaging stood out on the shelf because of the big brand names such as “Costa, Kenco, Cadbury and Twinings” on the front.  When I walked into the launch it all clicked together and I realised that they were designed to go into the new, nifty hot drinks/beverage system. I tried out the machine for myself on the day, we had a bit of fun playing around with the flavours and on leaving, I got one to take home to try out.

I’m the tea person in this house, himself is the coffee person and most mornings I come downstairs to coffee-carnage after he has “decorated” my countertop with sprinklings of coffee, sugar and splashes of milk as he tries to get his cup made with shaky hands. With the arrival of the machine in our house, that is a thing of the past as he just clicks in his “T-Discs”, it dispenses the drink at the right temperature, and the milk if required then he toddles off to work.

The cost is always an issue here at home. To make 1 cup of their basic Costa coffee costs 36c. To buy it in the coffee shop can range upwards from €2.20. So if you’re a fan of a regular big brand Americano on a daily basis it will set you back €11 per working week.  With the Bosch Tassimo machine it’ll cost you €1.80 a working week (based on €2.20 per cup). Given that the recommended retail price of the machine is just under €120, it’ll take about 13/14 weeks before your machine starts saving you money.

My hubby has been clutching a mug of Tassimo coffee every single morning since we got it. He loves the different flavour packs and the luxury of having decent coffee as opposed to freeze dried instant everyday. So last week I registered with the Tassimo website and ordered a new batch and as I registered I was sure to get a free STG£20 voucher off my first “T-Disc” or “Tassimo Disc” purchase.

As I’m not a huge fan of coffee, I’ve been playing around with the discs.  I’ve discovered that if I slice a disc open I can get just about enough high quality grounds out to make a batch of coffee biscuits. While I wouldn’t advocate it, himself has been going to work with coffee and biscuits for a double caffeine hit.   That’s not to say there are no options if you don’t like coffee, as you can also get hot chocolate and various tea flavours as well!  Just I like the flavour of coffee in baking and cooking but prefer to drink tea.

Coffee Biscuits (makes about 18 decent sized ones)

Ingredients

• 125g butter, softened
• 150g caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 200g plain white flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon high quality ground coffee (or the contents of 1 t-disc)
• 100g dark chocolate (I used Bourneville)
• 20g butter (for the topping)

Method

Preheat a fan oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Grease and dust a small baking tray liberally (approximately 18cm diameter).

Cream the butter and sugar together until light, beat in the egg. Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and coffee. Beat together until you get a firm dough.  Press into the greased baking tray with the back of a spoon.

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown.  Remove carefully from the oven and while still piping hot, use a sharp knife to trace out the shape of the biscuits.  Leave in the tray to cool completely before turning it upside down and tapping sharply. The biscuits should fall out and break apart easily.

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a “bain marie” (glass bowl over a pot of hot water). mix until glossy and then dollop on top of the biscuits.

Keep them in a safe place until cool. Away from little messers.

Disclosure: I was given a Tassimo machine to try out at home but no review was requested or required. My opinions are my own and I am not paid to give them.