Chewy damson and white chocolate biscuits

Makes 18

250g damsons, stoned and sliced into small pieces 160g white chocolate chips 170g butter, plus extra for greasing 250g plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 250g soft brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla paste pinch of sea salt

Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3. Grease and line three flat oven trays. Layer the damson pieces in a single layer on a large oven tray. Bake for 30 mins. Leave to cool completely, then remove from the tray with a spatula and set aside. Place the butter in a large heat-proof bowl and sit it over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat when the butter is almost melted, with just a few solid pieces remaining. Then stir until melted completely. Mix in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, sugar, egg, vanilla paste, white chocolate chips, baked damsons and sea salt until a thick batter forms. Spoon equal amounts of the batter, approximately the size of a dessert spoon, spaced apart from each other on the prepared oven trays. Bake for 12-15 mins until the biscuits are firm. Allow to cool completely, then transfer to a plate and serve.