Panforte, a Nougat - like Cake Dessert, have a Sweet Weekend! at ...

Panforte?is a nougat - like cake, rich in nuts and fruit. It is a speciality of Siena in Italy. Visit this beautiful country and you?ll find hundreds of variations of this Christmas-feeling sweet treat.

My favorite after dinner ritual is one that my family and I gathered together around fireplace with this very special dessert, coffee and brandy. Have a safe, warm and very sweet weekend!

Note: if you can't find rice paper, use aluminum fool brushed lightly with oil.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g, 8 oz) walnuts or hazelnuts
• 2 cups (250 g, 8 oz) blanched whole almonds
• 1 cup (125 g, 4 oz) dried apricots, diced
• 1 1/2 cups (250 g, 8 oz) dried figs, diced
• 1 cup (125 g, 4 oz) glade (candied) pears or apples, chopped
• 3/4 cup (125 g, 4 oz) raisins
• 3/4 cup (125 g, 4 oz) diced candied orange peel
• 2 cups plain, all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 3/4 cup (300 ml, 10 fl oz) honey
• 1 1/2 cups (300 ml, 10 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
• 6 Tbsp. (3 oz) butter
• rice paper

Directions:

Roast the nuts in a moderate oven ?350F (180C) until golden. Allow to cool, then (if you using hazelnuts) rub the skins off the hazelnuts and put into a bowl with chopped fruits, flour and spices. Combine well.

Put the honey, butter and sugar into saucepan and bring to the boil until it reaches the soft ball stage?

240F (116C). To determine soft ball stage - drop a small quantity of the honey mixture into a glass of iced water. If it forms a ball which flattens but does not disintegrate between your fingers, it has reached soft ball stage.

Pour the honey mixture over the fruits and nuts and stir well to combine. It will be very sticky and you may need to use your hands.

Heat the oven to 300F (150C). Line 12 x 9 1/2 x 1 inch baking tray with rice paper and press the mixture into tray. Flatten the top. If you dip your hand in milk, this will help. Put another layer of rice paper over the top, pressing down well, and place in the oven. Cook for 45 minutes. Turn out to cool and cut into squares or large rectangles. Store in airtight containers it in a cool, dry place for up to 3 weeks.

Source: http://www.melangery.com/2012/11/panforte-nougat-like-cake-dessert-have.html

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