In recent months, I have been reading a lot of the emerging literature about sugar. It would seem that there are definite benefits to be had by reducing one’s intake of refined sugar.
Subsequently, a lot of baking recipes now call for honey rather than sugar. The creator then claims it is healthier because it contains no refined sugar. My understanding based on my reading is that once honey is heated beyond a certain temperature (which it is when baked in the oven), the sugar in the honey in fact becomes refined sugar.
With this in mind, I took a turn down the path of “unbaking”. That is, creating goods that are uncooked and therefore retain the goodness of the ingredients in their raw state. What could be better than an Easter treat that is chocolate and good for your health!
To be truly healthy, this slice needs to be made using the ingredients as listed. Unfortunately, being truly healthy is also truly expensive!
How can the slice be made so that it doesn’t make such a big hole in one’s pocket? Firstly, cocoa powder can be used in place of raw cacao powder. Second, any type of honey may be used in place of raw honey.
The other expensive ingredient is the macadamia nuts. I have tried the slice using less macadamia nuts and more ground almonds. While the slice still has a nice flavour, it tends to be much drier.
For the recipe as written below, I use a loaf tin that is approximately 20cm x 8cm. I have also made twice the recipe below and used a 20cm x 20cm tin.
I usually cut the slice into small squares or triangles. On this occasion, I have made it to take as a plate for a morning tea on Easter Sunday hence the Easter-themed shapes in the photograph at the top of this post! I used mini biscuit cutters to create these shapes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole macadamia nuts
- ½ cup ground almonds
- 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- ¾ tablespoon raw (unpasteurised) honey
- 2-3 pinches of salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
Line a loaf tin (approximately 20cm x 8cm) with baking paper.
Place the macadamia nuts in a food processor. Process until they start to form a paste. This only takes about two minutes.
Add the ground almonds, cacao powder, honey, salt and vanilla extract. Continue to process until the mixture comes together like a dough. This only takes 2 to 3 minutes.
Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared tin.
Store the slice in the fridge.
I usually cut the slice up once it has been in the fridge for at least a couple of hours as it firms up in this time.
