Baking Chocolate Panforte!

Panforte is a traditional Italian dessert dating back to the 13th century. Within the rich chocolatey flavours, it contains lots of nuts and dried fruit, which seem in keeping with classic Christmas flavours. The best part is that it doesn't need eggs, and the butter can easily be substituted. A vegan recipe win!

The long recipe may make this cake seem slightly difficult to make, but it's really not. However, it is a little time-consuming, but well worth it! It will keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for several days, and if well-wrapped or left under a cake dome it should last more than a week.

This cake actually served as our Christmas day dessert this year, which was a nice change - and one that may well become a new tradition in my household judging by how well it went down with the entire family.

Ingredients and full recipe below!

Winter Calls (poem)

winter calls me,

and I reply,

though desperate not to loose myself

in his palest landscape,

and I look back,

to see the blind trail I once took,

getting there to find,

that winter still calls me,
leaving cold kisses in my ear.