Ferrero-cky Road Squares

NO-BAKE . VEGAN

This is my healthier "nod to Ferrero Rocher"! Crunchy, roasted hazelnut butter and popcorn all wrapped up in decadent dark chocolate squares. Perfect for grown ups this Christmas, but I think kids will love making these too.

What started out to be a vegan version of Ferrero Rocher truffles, ended up as a sort of rocky road cake! Well that's just how recipes happen sometimes. But I have absolutely no idea how things will turn out sometimes. But no regrets. And I hope you'll agree when you taste them!

These are so easy to make, no baking involved and they keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks - if you can keep your hands off them!

INGREDIENTS

1 x 100g vegan Dark Chocolate (70-80%) - I used Lindt

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

3 tbsp Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch Himalayan Salt / Sea Salt

1/2 c crunchy roasted Hazelnut Butter (I used a Meridian 170g jar)

1 c plain Popcorn (unsalted/unsweetened - shop bought or home made)

1/2 c raw Hazelnuts

METHOD

1. Melt the chocolate and the coconut oil together in a bowl over a pan of very hot water. Keep the pan over a low heat to stop the water cooling too much, but not boiling.

2. Whisk in the maple syrup, vanilla and salt until combined.

3. Pour any excess oil off the hazelnut butter, then spoon the butter into the chocolate, whisking to break it down and combine well.

4. Add in the popcorn and the hazelnuts and fold it all together with a spoon. Allow to cool slightly.

5. Transfer the chocolate mix to a shallow square baking tin and flatten it out, pushing it into the shape of the square until it's about 1 inch deep. It doesn't matter if the tin is too big, you can just use half or a corner of it. Square off the edges and sides with your hands.

6. Pop this into the fridge for about an hour, or the freezer for 30 minutes, or until it's set enough to cut cleanly, but not frozen solid.

7. Cut into squares and return to the fridge in a sealed container. At this point you may want to make yourself a hot beverage to enjoy one with ;)

NOTES

You can store the squares separated by parchment paper if you are freezing them.