Chocolate Panforte

Chocolate Panforte

makes 4

INGREDIENTS

180g almonds

50g pinenuts

150g dried figs, chopped

50g prunes, pitted

2 1/2 tsp mixed spice

Zest of 1 orange

100g (2/3 cup) spelt flour (or any plain flour)

2 tbsp raw cacao powder

75g dairy free dark chocolate, finely chopped

125ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup

55g (1/4 cup) coconut or rapadura sugar

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180°C. Spread the almonds out on a baking tray and bake for about 8 minutes or until toasted.

Reduce oven to 170°C.

Place almonds, pinenuts, chopped figs, prunes and orange zest into a large mixing bowl and give everything a quick stir with a wooden spoon. Add the spelt flour, cacao, and spice and stir to combine.

Place chocolate, maple syrup and rapadura in a small saucepan and stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and chocolate melts.

Pour the hot chocolate mixture into the fruit mixture and, working quickly, stir until well combined. Spoon the mixture, a quarter at a time, onto a well floured surface and roll into a sausage-y shape. Do the same with the remaining mixture until you have 4 panforte. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until just firm. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Slice to serve with tea.