Baking · Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Nuts

Italian Panforte for Christmas

This is so Christmassy, stuffed full of fruits, nuts, chocolate and spices.  Again, so easy to make, and will transport you straight to Italy.

 

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1 1/2 cups whole blanched almonds (unblanched is also fine)
3/4 cup whole hazelnuts, toasted
3/4 cup whole walnuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup dried figs coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups dried mixed fruit (the type used for Christmas cake)
3/4 cup plain flour
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tbsp water
1/3 cup runny honey
3/4 cup sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Grease and line with baking parchment, a large rectangular or 2 round baking tins.
Mix the nuts, figs, mixed fruit, flour, cocoa powder, ground cloves, pepper, cinnamon and coriander together in a large bowl.
Place the water, honey and sugar in a pot and slowly bring to the boil, then simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pout the syrup into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly.
Place in the prepared tin and flatten with wet hands. The mixture should be no more than 1 inch 9approx) thick.
If there is some mixture over, then place into another tin.
Bake for 35 minutes. Cut into squares when cool