Last week I did my first two “proper” cake sales, where I sold my homemade cakes on a stall as Lovinghomemade. I had no idea what to expect and was quite nervous as it’s a very different prospect, selling something you have made yourself to complete strangers, as opposed to making something to order. Luckily I sold a decent amount and all the feedback I got was positive. Phew. And what made it easier was having a stand next to someone I knew on the Saturday and Denise, who was demonstrating the Thermomix (if you haven’t heard of them, check them out: they are amazing and if I ever have a spare £900 for kitchen appliances I will be getting one!), was handing out samples of this chocolate “alternative” that she had made in it. It’s delicious and you don’t even need a Thermomix to make it, luckily. If you have a food processor this can be made in minutes.

There is no added sugar as all the sweetness comes from the dried fruit. I tested it out at my son’s school cricket match and it was a big hit with the parents. I haven’t tried it on the kids yet (I didn’t take enough!) but I would be surprised if they didn’t like it. I think it also counts as Paleo and vegan so comes with a lot to recommend it.

Recipe

by Janene Babauskis

Ingredients

130g almonds

75g cashews

250g pitted, dried dates

65g dessicated coconut

80g coconut oil

40g organic cocoa/cacao

Sprinkling of salt

Method

Line a 7″ square tin with baking parchment.

Colour co-ordinated ingredients…

Put the almonds and cashews into a food processor and process until they are finely chopped. Tip into a large bowl.

Put the dates and dessicated coconut into the food processor and process until they are also finely chopped: add to the bowl with the chopped nuts.

If your coconut oil is still solid, just warm it up to melt it.

Add the coconut oil, cocoa and a pinch of salt to the chopped ingredients and stir well to mix completely:

Tip into the prepared tin and press down with the back of a spoon to flatten and compress it.

Make sure the mixture is well pressed down

Refrigerate to set, ideally for a few hours:

At this stage it should be easy to cut into squares:

Store in the refrigerator to keep it solid.

Categories: Baking, Biscuits and Cookies, Chocolate, Dairy-Free Baking, gluten free baking, healthy baking, Recipes, Using Alternatives, Vegan baking

Tags: almonds, baking, cacao powder, cashew nuts, cocoa powder, coconut, coconut oil, dates, healthy alternative, healthy treat, paleo snack, recipe, snack, Thermomix, vegan