19 August 2011

Fat Friday...



Once upon a time I could think of no better way to spend a Saturday evening than with a good dose of trashy tv and one of Tesco's finest Florentines.

Honestly.

You could keep your cookies, your crisps and cakes, I craved something caramelised, crunchy, and slathered in chocolate.

And then? Then candied peel happened.

I was on holiday. I was hungry. I saw Florentine, I ate Florentine.

And nearly choked at the fact that such a glorious thing had been tainted with something so manufactured and...weird.

Turns out that actually, most Florentine recipes include candied peel, and since that horrific day [I take my sugar-obsession seriously thank you] I've not really touched them.

Until, that is, I stumbled upon a recipe for 'Florentine Slices' in yet another of our crumbling and hilariously dated St Michael's recipe books. I have to admit that these aren't the crisp, nutty treats I used to love, but the generous layer of chocolate and crisped up coconut definitely make this worth it.

Not to mention the distinct lack of candied peel.


Win.



INGREDIENTS


Preheat the oven to 150 C // 300 F // GM 2

Break the chocolate into a bowl and melt gently over just-boiled water in a heat proof bowl.

Once melted and glossy, pour into a greaseproof-lined [not "well greased" as I did...that failed -more later!] baking tray about 7 x 7 inches.

Is there really any sight in the world better than this?

Maybe this...


Or this?


Anyway, chocolate ogling over, set the tray aside and mix together the butter and sugar in a bowl.

Beat the egg and stir thoroughly into the sugar mixture.


Next, chop the glace cherries and add them to the mixture along with the dried fruit and coconut. Mix well.


Spoon the mixture gently onto the chocolate, spreading evenly and lightly compressing.


Pop into the oven for a good 40-45 minutes until golden brown.

Allow to cool for five minutes before slicing, then leave in the tin to cool completely before removing and serving [I found it set better when chilled in the fridge after slicing].



Oh, and the greasing disaster? Well...I might not advise it, but I can't say I'm complaining over the cleanup.


xxx

19 comments:

Maria Fallon said...

Please post me some of these, they look divine!

Maria xxx

Unknown said...

They look delicious! :) xx

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

Oh yum, these looks amaazing. I love chocolate and fruity things together xx

daisychain said...

I need to live with you. Clearly.

DANIELLE // DKD DESIGNS said...

Oh my god, these look amazing. Like actually amazing. I'm nearly drooling.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

If it's no biggie do you just want to pop round to my house and make all this wonderful grub for me? :P

You should make a recipe book for all these bad boys!

Roza said...

Oh yum yum yum!
Where do you get all your cooking inspiration? Are you a good cook when it comes to like dinners? or just sweet treats?
xxx

www.alittlebitofroza.blogspot.com

Yu said...

My mouth actually just watered.

Temporary:Secretary said...

The picture of the melted chocolate .. divine! x

Miss Raj said...

wow, this looks AMAZING. Your recipes are absolutely amazing, will deff be trying this one out on sunday! Love it x

Katie said...

Looks like heaven! xo

Rachael said...

Mmmmm!!

Cylia said...

that looks so easy to make.. yum!!:)

Gem said...

mmmm these look so good. I had some tequila lime cheesecake last night :)
x

Amber said...

This looks amazing!! I'm SO making this. YUM.

Susie said...

AH! I love anything with coconut! This looks incredible, Danni. Fat Friday is always my favorite day of the week! :D

Winnie said...

Drool! Though Danni, I have a bone to pick with you. How do you manage to stay so slim when you eat such yummy food? No fair! :P Please cook for me. I will pay in er...green tea?

Mo said...

I love these posts! I'm such a fan of coconut and anything with chocolate so these look amazing. xxx

Ellie, I Like Ginger Biscuits said...

These look yummy. I love baked coconut, will have to give these a go. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I love your fat friday feature!