Chocolate Apricot and Macadamia Nut Slice

Nuts have been a long time favourite snack for me, and with today being National Nut Day I thought I’d share a bit of a special way to enjoy the humble nut.

Nuts are a simple wholefood rich in many essential vitamins and minerals.  Nuts are also a source of protein, fibre, antioxidants and heart healthy fats making them a fantastic snack that keeps you feeling fuller for longer.  To see the nutritional benefits of different types of nuts, check out this post.

Anyway, back to the Chocolate Apricot and Macadamia slice.  This slice uses macadamia nuts and almonds to create an indulgent yet healthy nutty treat.

I was inspired to make this after one of the ladies at work bought a giant slab of a similar slice to work – only it wasn’t that healthy!!  Thanks to Alison’s Pantry and Mother Earth, I had some nuts to play around with so I thought that a chocolate apricot macadamia slice would be a nice recipe to modify into a healthier version, so out when the refined ingredients and in went lots of delicious nuts and other wholefood ingredients.  The outcome, this delicious, nutrient rich slice.

 

Here’s how to make it

Chocolate Apricot and Macadamia Nut Slice

For the base:
1 cup of dates, soaked in boiling water for 1 hour
1/2 cup ground almonds
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup rolled oats
3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup whole almonds

For the topping:
1/4 cup dried apricots
1 cup macadamia nuts
100g dark chocolate
1/4 cup coconut flakes

Drain the dates well and place in the bowl of a food processor.  Add all the ingredients except for the whole almonds.  Turn the food processor onto a medium speed and blend the ingredients together for a couple of minutes until combined.  Add the whole almonds and blend so all the dates are mixed through well, but there are still a few chunky almond pieces.  These add to the texture.

Press the base mixture into a lined and greased slice tin.

Finely chop the dried apricots and cut macadamia nuts in half.  Chop the chocolate into chunks.  Press the nuts and apricot pieces randomly across the slice.  Fill in the spaces with the dark chocolate, the sprinkle over the coconut.

Bake at 170 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes.

Leave to cool then cut into squares.

Since it’s National Nut Day,  I thought I’d share links to some of my other favourite nut recipes too. Check them out below.

Homemade nut bars
Raspberry, banana and coconut raw cheesecake
Home made nut butter