Layers of decadence!

Apple date and chocolate slice

This post is part of the Sweet Adventures Blog Hop. This is my third link up to the hop, with this one being hosted by the Capers of the Kitchen Crusader

I decided to make a dessert using the last of the Granny Smith apples we had picked up at the local Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago. For those who are regular readers you will know that I am currently Skipping the Supermarket. This means that any ingredients required for this recipe needed to come from my current pantry goods, or be available at the local deli/fruit store and since I had no desire to go out of the house yesterday – it was ingredients as per the pantry. I was planning on skipping this month’s Sweet Adventures challenge as I had not had a chance to think about it and decide on a recipe. After flicking through my recipe folder for inspiration I made some modifications based on what I had available this is what I made:

The recipe for the base of the slice is from Masterchef recipe for Classic Baked Cheesecake and the chocolate layer is adapted from a recipe I have in my folder that I think was was torn out of Vogue Entertaining & Travel Magazine some time ago. I have been unable to locate the issue date. The original recipe was for a double chocolate orange tart.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Fridge time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

Slice Base

1/3 cup of ground almonds
3/4 cup of plain flour
1/4 cup of castor sugar
90 of chilled butter chopped

Chocolate Layer

100 grams of good quality cooking chocolate (I used Lindt)
75 grams of butter
1 egg
1 egg white
25 grams of castor sugar

Apple & Date Layer

3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup of chopped pitted dates
1/2 vanilla bean
2 tbsp of butter
1/4 cup of sugar
1/3 cup walnuts

Steps:

For the slice base – As per the Masterchef recipe : Preheat the oven to 150 degrees. Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and rub the mixture with your fingertips until it forms course crumbs
Line the base of a pan with baking paper
Put the mixture into the pan and press it down with the back of a spoon. Approximately 1 cm thick is suitable in a 20cm pan
Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden
Add the ingredients for the apple and date layer together (except the walnuts) into a saucepan
Bring the ingredients to a low simmer, stir ocassionally and monitor
Cook until the apples & dates soften, and are golden in color. Locate and remove the vanilla bean
Add the apple mix to a blender and pulse gently until combined (but not pureed)
Mix in the walnuts and set aside until required for assembly
Don’t forget the base in the oven – check it! When it is ready remove from the oven and allow to cool in tray
To make the chocolate layer – Put a small amount of water into a saucepan and set the water to boil. Once boiled turn the heat to simmer
Put the chocolate & butter into a bowl that fits into the top of the saucepan of water without touching the water
Stir the chocolate and butter as it melts
Remove from the heat when melted and combined
Whisk the sugar and eggs together until they are fluffy and then add to the melted chocolate by stirring gently through
Pour the mix into a tray lined with non stick baking paper and place in the fridge for a couple of hours to set. Note: The tray for the chocolate should be the same shape as the tray used for the base as the chocolate will sit ontop of the base
To assemble: Put the base onto a serving plate and add the chocolate layer gently removing it from the tray using a spatula. Spoon the apple and date mix on top
Serve and enjoy! Eat immediately, store any left overs in the fridge and eat within a day or the base will become soft. There should be no issue with left overs 🙂

Rub together ingredients for base

Press down mixture into the bottom of tray

Simmer apples and dates

Roughly blend to chunky texture

Cut base to size

Pour chocolate into lined pan to set in fridge

Hints and Tips:

I cut the base into fingers. If I made it again I would make it with a round cake base rather than fuss with cutting it. I made my base thicker that the 1 cm I have recommended in the recipe above. I would make it to 1 cm next time.

The slice would also be lovely without the chocolate layer for a less decadent version.

We ate the slice with a scoop of homemade yoghurt. The smooth creaminess of the yoghurt cuts through the richness of the chocolate beautifully.

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the kitchen crusader says:

March 19, 2012 at 9:30 am

Hey Kyrstie! Looks great. Just sent you an email about how to get the blog code on your entry so you can link up all the other entries!

Tenille @ My Family Table says:

March 19, 2012 at 10:18 am

I think dates and chocolate together are brilliant; I much prefer dates dipped in chocolate to strawberries. Your slice looks lovely, the walnuts would give it a lovely crunch.

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:32 pm

Thanks for reading Tenille, great idea on the dates and chocolate that would make a lovely after dinner nibble for a dinner party.

Lizzy (Good Things) says:

March 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Lovely… and apples are in season right now, so this is a great way to go!

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:31 pm

Hi Lizzy, any Farmers Market goodies are a winner 🙂

Carol Anne says:

March 19, 2012 at 4:35 pm

Looks absolutely gorgeous Kyrstie, I love that you used already bought ingredients for this. It just shows what creativity can turn a few cupboard ingredients into!

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:31 pm

Thanks Carol Anne, thanks for reading and for picking up the gist of my dessert 🙂
I am trying my best to take advantage of what I have available rather than constantly going out to source and seek new items. I am finding it a satisfying way to plan our meals.

K-bobo @ Gormandize with A-dizzle & K-bobo says:

March 19, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Looks delicious! I really like your idea about skipping the supermarket! My pantry is overflowing with things that I forget are in there or I just don’t use up! I think I might try it!

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:28 pm

I am really enjoying the challenge and find that it makes me a)more creative and b)more conscious about not wasting anything that I have already. I am actually finding it a relief to not have the supermarket on my agenda of activities!!

Miss Kimbers @ Fruit Salad and Mixed Veg says:

March 19, 2012 at 8:59 pm

Dates and chocolates. A good combination:)

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:33 pm

Yes indeed Miss Kimbers!

Nic says:

March 20, 2012 at 5:39 pm

This looks delicious, I think we have similar dessert brains! Apart from the walnuts I think I might give this one a go. And the photo at the top is just lovely. I found it difficult to get inspiration to photograph my slice but I love the apple and the square plate, it looks great.

Kyrstie says:
March 20, 2012 at 9:24 pm

Thanks Nic, that is very nice of you to say..there is NO comparison to your divine looking entry!! I really really really need a camera update. Thanks for stopping by.