Page 127 - Women’s Health - Australia (February 2020)

Food

Hub

I love this version of the add the almonds to
Aussie bakery favourite a food processor and
as the caramel is process until it forms
naturally sweetened coarse crumbs. Drain
with whole dates and the dates and add them
balanced with earthy to the food processor
nut or seed butter. The with the cinnamon
crunchy base contrasts
with the smooth filling and salt. Process the
and creamy chocolate. ingredients until they are
I added a little coconut well combined. Scoop the
cream to the topping mixture into the cake pan
so it’s easier to cut, and press down to create
but not too much a firm and even base.
so you still keep the 3. To make the caramel
‘snap’ of the choc on layer: drain the dates and
conventional slices. reserve the soaking liquid.
Add the drained dates
and rest of the ingredients
MAKES 18 SMALL SLICES to a high-powered
blender. Blend on medium
BASE to high for 3 to 5 mins or
◆ 11/2 cups almonds, or until the mixture is very
any other nut or seed smooth and has no more
◆ 1/3 cup pitted dates, chunks of nuts or dates. If
soaked in water for the mixture is quite thick
at least 4 hours or the oils are separating
◆ 1/2 tsp ground from the solids, add some
cinnamon (optional) of the reserved date
◆ Pinch of salt liquid and blend again.
Pour the caramel mixture
CARAMEL LAYER on the top of the base and
◆ 11/2 cups pitted dates, smooth the surface with
soaked in water for the back of a large spoon
at least 4 hours or a cake scraper.
◆ 1/2 cup almond butter, 4. To make the chocolate
or any other nut or ganache: add all the
seed butter ingredients to a mixing
◆ 3 tbs coconut oil bowl. Blend with a stick
◆ 2 tbs coconut nectar or blender for 1 min or until
maple syrup (optional) all the ingredients are
◆ 1 tsp lucuma powder combined and there are
(optional) no oil streaks on top. Pour
onto the caramel layer
CHOCOLATE GANACHE and decorate if desired.
TOPPING Set aside in the fridge
◆ 11/3 cups store-bought or freezer overnight.
vegan chocolate, 5. Run a sharp knife under
melted hot water, dry it with a tea
◆ 2 tbs coconut cream towel, and cut the slice
straight from the freezer.
1. Line a 20cm The freezer firms the
square cake pan caramel, preventing the
with baking paper. chocolate from crumbling
2. To make the base: when you cut into it.

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