Florentine cookies are a lace style cookie, veering into confection territory. The batter is prepared in a pot on the stove, before it is baked in the oven, and always contains sugar, butter, cream and often a little honey and flour. Nuts, which are traditionally almonds or hazelnuts, are featured as well. Dried fruit often makes an appearance, with dried cherries and candied orange being popular. The bottoms are often coated with melted dark chocolate or sometimes two cookies are sandwiched with chocolate in-between.   The history of Florentines is not crystal clear, but it is believed that they are French in origin, dating to the 17th century. They do not hail from Italy.