Mini Almond and Cranberry Florentine

Spring is just around the corner and it is a great feeling to feel it in all its glory. Especially after a harsh and long winter, it’s great to see the buds on the Cherry trees and chirping of the birds. More and more people are getting outdoors.

Weekends are full of activities. It is fun to be outdoor and soak in the bright sunlight. Last weekend since I was alone along with my son, I was kind a feeling lazy to plan any activity for both of us except for eating out.

On of our family friend buzzed me and she had planned to come over to my place along her boy who is of the same age as my son. It was such a great idea and I was thrilled to have them. We decided to go out for lunch and in a very nice restaurant with an absolute great out door setting.

Since she was expecting her second baby, I was kind of curious to know her cravings to see if there was something in my mind’s cookbook to offer her. She had no fascination except for the sinful and evil cakes and cookies!!!!!! Apologies I always refer to them as sinful, but this is one sin that is not on the 10 commandments list.

Long time back I had bookmarked a wonderful cookie recipe from my favorite magazine Super food ideas. I have always wanted to try them out but this was a god sent opportunity to try out the mini Almond Florentine. I always get tempted to see them in the glass jars at the cake shop.

After a long struggle with my conscience eventually I eventually pick up few to quench my temptation. But I hardly find any traces of almond even though the shop boldly advertises Almond Florentines.

Since my first few disappointments I now have started making my own Florentines packed with almond and coated with a thin layer of chocolate I am pretty certain I will not get tempted any more or at least so I think.

This is a very simple recipe that hardly calls for any raising agents or eggs. Although I am not a vegetarian but some days of the week I prefer to be a vegetarian these Florentines are a boon and I enjoy them with my morning cuppa!!!!!

I checked my pantry I had everything except Cherries. So I substituted it with dried cranberries. And boy they were great and heavenly !!!!. here goes for all of you sweet natured people and who share my sweet tooth.

Ingredients

I cup Flaked almond
½ cup cranberries chopped
¼ cup plain flour
40g butter
2 tbslp Brown sugar
2 tbslp Golden syrup
150 g good quality dark chocolate

Method
Mix almond, flour and cranberries.Heat butter, golden syrup and sugar in a pan. Continue heating on a medium fire till the sugar has dissolved.

Add the butter mixture to the combine flour and almond mix well. Preheat the oven to 180'c. Line a baking try.Place a teaspoon of mixture on tray with gap of an inch. Gently flatten it with a spatula. Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes.

Transfer them on to a rack. Melt dark chocolate in microwave for a couple of minutes on medium high. Stir with a spoon and let it cool down.

Using a spatula gently spread the melted chocolate on the base of the Florentines Place the chocolate side up on a wire rack.

When the chocolate has set store them in an airtight container and relish them when ever you have the cravings or just want to treat yourself for holding back your temptations to buy them from the cake shop.