English Toffee

My mom makes English Toffee and Peanut Brittle every year at Christmas time. I haven't succeeded with the Peanut Brittle yet. But, I have to say, I make pretty awesome English Toffee! I think part if it is that I started using butter instead of margarine.

Here's my version:
1 cup salted butter
1 cup sugar
5 Tablespoons water

For coating:

Chocolate chips

Almonds

Heat first three ingredients to deep golden brown (~325*F if you're using a thermometer)

Pour onto silicone mat or parchment paper, in a rimmed cookie sheet

Let cool, meanwhile melt some chocolate chips (I like using semisweet, but milk chocolate works well too)

Spread melted chocolate on the toffee, then immediately sprinkle with chopped almonds (I use dry roasted salted)

Flip the slab over and repeat the process on the other side (this step is optional, but SO worth it!). Tip: if you have a cover for your cookie sheet, place another silicone mat or parchment on top of coated toffee, then put the cover on and flip. It helps contain any mess.

Allow to cool/dry completely, then break into pieces



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'Raw' Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Fudge Cake

I'm doing a 'no added sugar' challenge for 5 days.  This recipe does call for agave or honey or maple syrup in the frosting, but maybe some raspberries and water would do the trick?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4rgk3gQowk

3 cups dried walnuts (is there a difference between 'dried' and what you buy in the baking aisle?)
2/3 cup cacao (or cocoa, from what research I've done so far)
1/4 tsp. salt



LOVE the secret ingredient, although I've never put into anything sweet.

"Raw" Brownie Bites

I found this on Pinterest, via Erin I think.  It's originally from Emily Segal at www.TriumphWellness.com.  The original recipe has only walnuts, no oats.  I decided to substitute regular rolled oats for 1/3 of the walnuts.  Also, I've made these twice now, and used California dates once and Deglet Noor dates once (maybe the same?).  Both times tasted awesome, so I'm not sure what the difference would be with Medjool dates, I have read they are sweeter.  Also, I soaked the dates in warm water for 30-45 minutes before making them.  (That was a tip from a cooking class I attended at Whole Foods.)  They are also larger than the dates I used, so I just used 1 1/2 to 2 times the amount (20-28 dates, instead of 13-14).  It's kind of a big range, but I think if you use less, you make up the moisture with a little more water.  So, here's how I made them today, a double batch, (with Jacob).

'Raw' Brownie Bites

2 cups walnuts
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp. salt
39 California dates, already pitted, although we did find 3 pits as we were mixing
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Place walnuts and oats and salt in food processor.  Process until finely ground.
2.  Add remaining ingredients and process until all mixed and uniformly crumbly.  Then continue until it forms a ball.
3.  If it doesn't form a ball with in a few minutes, add a few drops of water at a time, with the machine running, until it does form a ball.
4.  Roll mixture into balls.  (I used a 2 tsp. scooper)

Optionals:

Balls can then be rolled in dried coconut, chopped nuts, or cocoa powder.

The original directions said you could also press the mixture into a square pan and cut into bars.