Florentine Slice

 

Florentine slice is rich, gooey and remarkably chocolatey, brimming with a crisp layer of sticky sweet fruit. An absolute breeze to make and perfect for sharing and giving throughout the festive season... which you may reconsider after your first bite. Moreish in every morsel, you'll definitely want to make... and share again and again.   

Florentine Slice

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 oz. good quality semisweet chocolate

2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, golden raisins, currants, citrus peel)

2/3 cup candied cherries or dried cherries

Generous 1 cup of large flaked shredded coconut

1/2 cup superfine sugar

1/2 cup ( 1 stick) butter, melted

2 eggs, beaten

Line an 8 x 11 inch pan with foil and line the bottom with a piece of baking parchment. Melt the chocolate and spread evenly in the base of the pan. Leave to cool in the refrigerator until set. See notes on how to melt chocolate. 

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). In a large bowl mix together the dried fruit, candied cherries, coconut, sugar, butter and beaten eggs and spread evenly over the chocolate.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and leave to cool in the pan. When cool, place the pan in the refrigerator until really cold. Cut into oblong slices and turn out of the pan.  

NOTES: FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE  

Double boiler method: fill a medium saucepan with 4 cm of water. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pan so that it fits snuggly but doesn't touch the water. Lower the heat to a very gentle simmer. Break up the chocolate into pieces and add to the bowl, then leave to melt for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly. 

Microwave method: place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds on 50% power level. Stop to stir, then return the bowl to the microwave and continue heating on 50% power, stopping to stir every 20 seconds, timing is estimated approximately at 1 minute for an ounce of chocolate and 3 minutes for 8 ounces. When the chocolate is almost melted, stop microwaving. There may be some bits of partially melted chocolate, that's okay and that is when you know it's done. Any longer and it may burn. The heat will melt the remaining bits.