I always start by making the jelly because this needs to set and it needs to set for about 1.5 - 2 hours regardless of whether you make it from scratch or use a ready-made jelly.
Cut 2-4 (depending on size) fresh oranges into half and squeeze the juice out. Strain the juice through a fine strainer and pour in a saucepan that you will need to place on low heat as you should not get this to boil.
Add the sugar (100g), put in the gelatin and stir until both sugar and the gelatin has melted.
Take out a cupcake silicone tray (24 holes) and pour into each hole 1-2 tablespoon (depending on how big/deep the tablespoon is - but the thickness of the jelly should be of around 3 mm).
Place this on a flat surface in the fridge or somewhere cool to chill. Allow it 1-2 hours to set and coagulate - check from time to time as in the fridge this will get ready quicker.
For the sponge/cake:
Start by preheating the oven at 180°C/350°F or Gas mark 4.
Place a pot containing water over medium/low heat and allow it to simmer over which place a glass bowl in which we will be mixing the eggs, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt using a freestanding electric mixer. Mix for about 4 minutes until the eggs are nice and frothy.
Remove this from the heat, place on a towel on desktop and using a spatula slowly fold in the flour.
Grease lightly a 24 hole muffin tray and spoon in the batter - again 1 or 2 tablespoon depending on how big/small this is but the batter should be no thicker than 3-4mm.
Bake for 10-12 min.
Remove from the oven, set aside for a few minutes and then take one by one out and place on a wire rack.
For the chocolate topping:
Melt the chocolate however method you wish (microwave or on the stove over simmering water) and set aside.
Assembling the cookies:
We need to put those delights together now by placing the jelly (cut/shape into smaller circles if you wish) over the cake/sponge and then using a spoon, spread gently and carefully (to cover the jelly entirely) the chocolate all the way until you almost reach the edges. The chocolate should be slightly cooler as if it is too hot it is runny and difficult to handle. Make some nice Jaffa cake patterns if you like by pressing a fork gently over the chocolate surface and then lift slightly.
Oh dear, I have managed to make this really easy to make cakes into some sophisticated looking recipe but I really wanted to put in more detailed instructions rather than some really succinct ones that will make you wander here and there.
Enjoy those little delights and do not go too far away from them allowing the others to make them vanish in seconds. Police them ;-)) if you want any left for you or hide them before even putting any on the table out for serve ;-)) that’s what I would do if I was you.
Notes
Eggs - please make sure they are at room temperature so take them out of the fridge (if that’s where you store them) a few hours in advance.Sugar - use what you have but I always recommend any sugar that has not been refined.Flour - always use spelt nowadays but plain white, wholemeal or a mix of them will do as great.Filling -the jelly bit - I love making my own but you could use ready-made fruit jelly which you may have to dissolve in hot water and then set as usual.Chocolate topping - the darker the chocolate, the better - but hey that is my opinion because I love dark and my husband is the witness and can testify here.
if you want to have some fun, add 1 tablespoon of chia or poppy seeds to the chocolate;
it gives it a lovely texture - I have made those few times like this and we loved them;
Jelly - grease slightly the silicone tray holes before pouring in the jelly for setting - it helps when taking out. They almost pop out themselves.