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Chocolate Panforte

CHOCOLATE PANFORTE

Experience a taste of Italy with this Chocolate Panforte. A classic panforte recipe gets a decadent chocolate twist, combining rich flavors, spiced warmth, and a satisfyingly chewy texture.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 16 Slices
Calories 275 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3.5 oz blanched hazelnuts*
  • 3.5 oz brazil nuts
  • 3.5 oz blanched almonds*
  • 2.6 oz unsalted butter, diced
  • 3.5 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped
  • 2.6 oz plain flour (can be gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon mixed spice
  • Pinch of salt
  • 6.1 oz dried figs, quartered
  • 3.5 oz mixed peel
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1.7 oz light brown soft sugar
  • 5.2 oz runny honey
  • 3.5 oz maple syrup
  • Icing sugar, confectioner's sugar, for dusting

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F).
  • Spread all the nuts out in a large roasting tin and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes (watch that they don't burn). Reduce the temperature to 140°C (280°F).
  • Grease and line the base and sides of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking paper.
  • Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water; set aside to cool slightly while you make the cake.
  • Place the flour, cocoa, spices, salt, figs, peel and orange zest in a bowl and stir. Add the toasted nuts. You may want to cut the brazil nuts in half; leave the other nuts whole.
  • Place the sugar, butter, honey and maple syrup in a small pan and gently heat. Stir until the mixture has melted, the sugar has dissolved and the mixture comes to the boil. Increase the heat and let the mixture boil for 7-8 minutes or until a sugar thermometer reaches 118°C (240°F) or the 'soft ball stage'. (Or drop 1 teaspoon of syrup into a glass of cold water; if the syrup becomes a soft ball it's ready.)
  • Pour the sugar mixture over the fruit and nut mixture and stir in as quickly as possible; fold in the melted chocolate.
  • Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level it with an offset spatula. Bake for 50-55minutes. The mixture will appear uncooked when you remove it from the oven, but it will set as it cools. The top of the panforte should look slightly bubbly.
  • Leave to cool completely; remove from the tin and dust the top with icing sugar - you can rub the icing sugar into the cake or leave it dusted on top.
  • To store, place the cake in wax paper in a covered tin and store in a cool, dry place. The cake will last for several months.

Notes

*If you can't source blanched nuts, simply roast them as per the instructions, put the hot nuts into a tea towel and rub them together vigorously - this should get rid of most of the skin.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 10mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 3gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 119IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Chocolate Panforte, Panforte
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