British · Baking

Hobnobs

Crunchy, golden oat and wholemeal biscuits made with butter, brown sugar and golden syrup, optionally coated in dark chocolate. The British tea-time biscuit, made at home.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 29 min total Serves 20 servings Easy
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How to Make Hobnobs

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  1. Heat the oven to 170°C / 340°F and line two baking trays with baking paper.

  2. Mix the flour, oats, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

  3. Melt the butter and golden syrup in a small pan over low heat. Stir the bicarbonate of soda into the milk, then into the butter, so that it foams, and pour it into the dry ingredients. Mix to a dough.

  4. Roll the dough into 20 balls of about 20 g each, set them 4 cm apart on the trays, and flatten each with the palm of your hand to a round about 6 cm across.

  5. Bake for 13 to 14 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

  6. If you like, spread the flat side of each biscuit with melted chocolate, mark it with a fork, and leave to set for 30 minutes.

Tips for Making Hobnobs

  • Flatten the balls well. The dough does not spread much, and a thick biscuit stays soft in the middle instead of crisping.
  • Cool the biscuits completely before adding the chocolate. It sets glossy and smooth on a cold biscuit, and melts and smears on a warm one.
  • Use rolled oats and not porridge oats. They are thicker, and they give the crunch and the texture that the biscuit depends on.

What to Serve with Hobnobs

  • A strong cup of tea
  • Cheddar
  • Cold milk

Storing & Reheating Hobnobs

Keep in an airtight tin for up to 1 week, and re-crisp in a 150°C oven for 5 minutes if they soften. Freeze the shaped, unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.

Hobnobs FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Hobnobs take to make?

About 29 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 14 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 20.

What are the key tips for making Hobnobs?

Flatten the balls well. The dough does not spread much, and a thick biscuit stays soft in the middle instead of crisping. Cool the biscuits completely before adding the chocolate. It sets glossy and smooth on a cold biscuit, and melts and smears on a warm one. Use rolled oats and not porridge oats. They are thicker, and they give the crunch and the texture that the biscuit depends on.

What should I serve with Hobnobs?

A strong cup of tea; Cheddar; Cold milk.

Can Hobnobs be made ahead or frozen?

Keep in an airtight tin for up to 1 week, and re-crisp in a 150°C oven for 5 minutes if they soften. Freeze the shaped, unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.

Is Hobnobs suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Hobnobs?

About 122 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate and 6 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Hobnobs Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

122Calories
2gProtein
15gCarbs
6gFat
1gFibre
7gSugar
70mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.