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:

1. 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
2. Line the base of a pan with baking paper
3. 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
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly golden
5. Add the ingredients for the apple and date layer together (except the walnuts) into a saucepan
6. Bring the ingredients to a low simmer, stir occasionally and monitor
7. Cook until the apples & dates soften, and are golden in color. Locate and remove the vanilla bean
8. Add the apple mix to a blender and pulse gently until combined (but not pureed)
9. Mix in the walnuts and set aside until required for assembly
10. Don’t forget the base in the oven – check it! When it is ready remove from the oven and allow to cool in tray
11. 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
12. Put the chocolate & butter into a bowl that fits into the top of the saucepan of water without touching the water
13. Stir the chocolate and butter as it melts
14. Remove from the heat when melted and combined
15. Whisk the sugar and eggs together until they are fluffy and then add to the melted chocolate by stirring gently through
16. 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 on top of the base
17. 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
18. 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 🙂

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.