I chose this recipe because it looked so impressive with the marbled top, I wasn’t sure mine would look like the picture in the book but it did 
such a satisfying feeling! I jotted the recipe down on a piece of paper when I was visiting my mum in France so I don’t have a photo of Delia’s version but you can find the recipe here and you can buy her Vegetarian book here
I liked the fact that it was an “energy bar” not a flapjack, even though when I took them into work I just called them flapjacks for simplicity. Although after eating them everyone did say they tasted much healthier than a flapjack and it was obviously not filled with syrup and sugar. I made a few changes to the recipe just because (as usual) I wanted to use up some ingredients I had in the cupboard – I swapped pecans for just a bag of mixed nuts, I also swapped the apricots and raisins for dried figs and dried cranberries. I think the fruits and nuts I used tasted great so was really happy it still worked.
I was nervous about using condensed milk because I haven’t eaten it in years and I didn’t really understand how it was going to bind everything together. I bought a squeezy tube of condensed milk and it worked great, it also meant I had none left over which also suited me fine!
The recipe says it served 16 and I have to admit I was very tempted to just cut it into 8 or 10 slices because 16 slices were so small! But I sliced it into 16 in the end and I would recommend sticking to this size as the bar is quite rich and filling. It also meant I didn’t feel so guilty when eating it!
What I have learnt about chocolate:
When teamed with other flavours like dried fruit and nuts, chocolate can make the snack more indulgent and more of a treat. Chocolate also doesn’t have to be the main ingredient to take centre stage as it can be used to decorate and enhance other flavours within the recipe.
I absolutely loved the marbled effect, it was so easy to do but it looks so impressive and makes the bar look much more special. Next week I definitely want to play around with using chocolate for a visual effect as well as adding to the flavour!
Posted by sarahsfoodieblog on April 20, 2012 at 7:58 am
These look terrific!
Posted by veghotpot on April 20, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Thanks! They definitely made me popular!
Posted by sophiesoven on April 20, 2012 at 8:30 am
These are beautiful. Plus, you can turn them upside down and say that they’re a healthy breakfast.
Posted by veghotpot on April 20, 2012 at 12:25 pm
hehe true! they were filling enough to pass as a breakfast item
Posted by leroywatson4 on April 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm
These looked great and super packed with energy! Thanks for sharing (www.thebeachhousekitchen.wordpress.com)
Posted by veghotpot on April 24, 2012 at 9:43 am
They definitely filled me up for a good few hours! Probably better as a breakfast/ meal rather than a cheeky snack lol x
Posted by Desi Chick on April 20, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Those are so visually stunning!
Posted by veghotpot on April 24, 2012 at 9:42 am
hehe I probably could have been a bit neater with my swirling on the top but hey that’s the fun right!!
x
Posted by vegetariangurl on April 21, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I’m glad you pointed out that chocolate doesn’t have to be the primary ingredient – another excuse to add to the arsenal
But seriously, these look amazing, will have to give the ‘chocolate whirl’ a try myself!
Posted by veghotpot on April 24, 2012 at 9:44 am
Ive had fun this month I definitely recommend a whole month dedicated to chocolate to anyone
x
Posted by betsysmum on April 27, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Wow! I want to frame this and put it on my wall, and then eat it! x
betsysmum.com