Foggy November,
We Should Cocoa
with
Spiced Apple and Cranberry
Chocolate Tiffin
What an awful day it was yesterday; it was foggy and grey all day and when I went to open up the hen house first thing in the morning, there was water dripping off the trees in a sinister “plop plop” manner, whilst the dew was so heavy that it resulted in soggy pyjama bottoms! The Coronation chickens were VERY underwhelmed with the weather and looked so dejected all huddled up together under the pine tree. Only one thing for it, a baking day and a late entry to be baked for We Should Cocoa, that enticing monthly challenge which is run by Choclette and Chele on alternate months.
November’s challenge was a rather tricky one, it was Apples ~ now I am not normally phased by any combination of ingredients, but chocolate and apples got me scratching my head for ideas……..it’s strange how certain combinations are perplexing! I wanted to make some chocolate apples for Halloween in the manner of toffee apples, but could not find the sticks ~ then little sticky buns crossed my mind…….I then had a “light bulb” moment, a spiced apple and cranberry chocolate bake in the manner of a seasonal treat ~ and eureka, it worked!
I preserved some dried apple rings earlier this year, a recipe I will share later, the dried apple rings are wonderful when added to cakes, bakes, tarts, cereal, porridge etc. I also had a large bag of semi-dried cranberries (Craisins) and so the recipe was devised, JUST for We Should Cocoa! I added some of my own home-made mixed spice as a BIG nod to the forthcoming festive season and then just to over gild the lily, I added pecan nuts and edible glitter on the melted chocolate topping…….job done!
These naughty little bars would make great gifts for Christmas, cut them into small pieces and present them in little cellophane bags with “glittery” ribbon and bows……I managed to get 15 bars, but I could have cut them smaller (or larger!) and therefore the yield is a bit of a moveable feast. As you can see from the photos, I was a little heavy handed with the edible glitter, and why not at this time of year? I was VERY indulgent and used a high 85% cocoa solids chocolate for the topping, but do use any type of chocolate that you prefer ~ my mum prefers milk chocolate.
So here they are without further ado, my entry into November’s We Should Cocoa challenge ~ sorry they are late Choclette and Chele, but sometimes life just has a habit of getting in the way of life!
See you all later and have a brilliant weekend.
Karen
Spiced Apple and Cranberry
Chocolate Tiffin
(Makes between 15 and 18 bars)
INGREDIENTS:
200g digestive biscuits
100g butter, plus some for greasing the tray
3 tablespoons golden syrup
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon mixed spice
50g dried cranberries
50g dried apple rings, chopped up into small pieces
100g high quality chocolate, such as dark 70% to 85% chocolate
pecans, to decorate
edible glitter, to decorate
METHOD:
Butter an 18cm/7″ sandwich tin or tray.
Put the digestive biscuits into a large freezer bag, seal and crush them with a rolling pin, until they are uneven crumbs.
Melt the butter and the syrup together in a large saucepan over a low heat. Stir in the cocoa powder, mixed spice, cranberries and chopped apple pieces. Stir well before adding the biscuit crumbs.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and press down firmly and evenly.
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, when melted, spread the chocolate over the biscuit and fruit base and then decorate with pecan halves.
Chill for an hour before cutting into squares/bars and then store wrapped in foil for up to a week, preferably in a cool place such as the fridge.
Rachel Proffitt says
Those look delicious- I wish I had everything in the house right now (although I am going to make your cattern cakes later ;)).
You have such a lovely blog I shared it with some friends 🙂
C says
They look great – I love the festive edible glitter look, really getting in the mood for Christmas celebrations now!
I like the idea of drying my own apple rings, look forward to seeing how you do yours!
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
Oooh Karen you have excelled yourself. They are so beautiful. Stunning pics and a gorgeous recipe. I love the idea of drying apple rings and must get round to this one day. Delightful x
Karen S Booth says
Many thanks Rachel and thanks for the wonderful comments too…..I will look out for you and your blog as soon as I have finished replying!
The cattern cakes are easy and very tasty ~ enjoy!
Karen
Karen S Booth says
Thanks C, I will share the apple ring recipe soon and you just cannot have enough edible glitter can you?!
Karen
Karen S Booth says
Aw thanks Dom! I have found an inside place for night time photos, and it seems to have worked! Hope you are feeling better and the dried apple rings are a great preserve to have in the pantry!
Karen
Marie says
Scrummy indeed Karen!! They look fab. I have a lot of trouble with photos in these darker months. I find I have to have whatever I am cooking done early in the day so that I can use the natural light. It just doesn't seem to work out otherwise. What kind of camera do you have Karen? Do you use any artificial lighting at all?
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Marie! I normally have good lighting, but as you say it fades by 3pm on these dark winter days ~ so I have found an area in a table in the B and B guests dining room where I have set up a light ~ these photos were taken under that light and then edited for white balance, although my camera is pretty good at that. There are a couple of photos that have a blue cast, but I will forget that for the time being…..I have a Canon EOS 400 DSLR, seldom used as it is too heavy and I need a tripod for all food shots, and a fabulous Olympus Pen E-PL1 ~ a Micro 3/4 camera which is super…..and these photos were taken with the Olympus.
I have asked Santa for a light box, so we will see if he brings one!!
Karen
Inthesky says
Delicious looking in all their glittery loveliness 🙂
Brownieville Girl says
Genius idea Karen – I had thought of using dried apples for this challenge but I made a complete cock up of them!!!!!
I'd just love to see some of these in my Christmas Hamper!
Rehan says
good work
carry on
well done
Tina V. says
I love the cranberry-chocolate combination, these look great 🙂
Gloria says
these bars look amazing:)
Choclette says
Karen, you are a marvel. I just love, love, love these bars. I can never decide whether tiffin or brownies are my all time favourite – it's a tough one. Love the fact you've made your own apple rings and devised this just for We Should Cocoa. Love the glitter too and your use of mixed spice. In fact, as I've already said, I love these and want to devour the lot – never mind will keep up to a week!
Janice says
Can I just say what Dom said and add a yum yum to it and maybe a ho ho ho!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Oh Karen, another winner! yes these would be wonderful Christmas presents but I doubt they would make it as far as the wrapping paper – too delicious
Mary x
From Beyond My Kitchen Window says
Oh boy do these look good. Anyone would be thrilled to receive these in a tin at Christmas. My son got a dehydrator a couple of years ago as a gift and its just sitting on a shelf in the cellar. I must get it out and try some apples and oranges in it.
Baking Addict says
These look amazing!! Love the glitter 🙂 The flavours are definitely very festive, wish I could have some now 🙂
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
These are lovely and easy to make too! I love the idea of making your own dried apple rings and the addition of mixed spice is very festive…….gorgeous!
Working london mummy says
absolutely divine recipe Karen. I love it. and the spice addition is genius x
Laura says
These look fantastic. I love tiffin and your variation on it sounds fantastic.
Fiona Matters says
Was browsing again and got stopped by this image. Pecans and chocolate – gorgeous! I don’t have dried apples or craisins in at the minute – am trying to reduce stores before moving, but they are definitely going “on the list” for later. Mmmm. Good excuse to make some more digestives though! Shared on twitter.
Beth says
Despite the Christmassy flavours, I am so tempted to make some of this… maybe if I top with Mini Eggs it would be acceptable for Easter? 😉
Maya Russell says
I want to make these right now. Mini-eggs on top instead of pecans sounds good!
Lisa Williams says
you can’t beat chocolate and fruit I have tweeted 🙂
Laura says
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious. I’ve loved having a nosey through your recipes =)