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Cherry, macadamia, Turkish delight and amaranth white Christmas

Karen Martini
Karen Martini

Tempting treat: Karen Martini's cherry, macadamia, Turkish delight and amaranth white Christmas.
Tempting treat: Karen Martini's cherry, macadamia, Turkish delight and amaranth white Christmas. Marcel Aucar

Cherry, macadamia, Turkish delight and amaranth white Christmas

White Christmas was a staple on our Christmas table growing up. It was always that last morsel pushed upon you when you had already eaten twice your fill. It was religiously made by one of my aunties, although none of them ever admitted to it. I always loved the look of it, but it never quite lived up to its pretty appearance. This version ups the indulgence with the inclusion of plenty of white chocolate, Turkish delight, macadamias and tangy sour cherries. Wrap chunks of it in some cellophane and a festive ribbon for the perfect seasonal gift.

Tips

1. Instead of using one large tray you could fill rings on baking paper or use a muffin tray.

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2. Stir the mix as you fill your tray to make sure it remains evenly combined, especially if you're using a muffin tray or other individual moulds. Otherwise you may get a variable mix, with some too dry and some not setting properly.

3. Pistachios and freeze-dried berries would also be delicious inclusions.

500g white chocolate, finely chopped

120g virgin coconut oil, gently warmed to liquefy if necessary

100g shaved coconut, plus extra to garnish

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200g dried sour cherries

100g glace cherries

100g Turkish delight, cut into 3cm x 1cm pieces

200g salted macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

2 cups puffed amaranth (or puffed rice/wheat)

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1. Spray and line a brownie tray or lamington tin.

2. Spread out the chocolate evenly in a large stainless steel bowl and place bowl over a medium saucepan with a few centimetres of barely simmering water in it. When about two-thirds of the chocolate has melted, stir through once. Add the coconut oil and stir a couple more times to ensure that all the chocolate melts – don't mix too much, get water in the mix or overheat, as the chocolate will become grainy. Take the bowl off the pan.

3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, reserving a few cherries and some shaved coconut for garnish. Pour in the melted chocolate and fold through. Stand for two minutes.

4. Pour the mix into the prepared tray, making sure that the mix remains evenly combined as you do. Decorate with the reserved cherries and coconut. Allow to set at room temperature for a couple of hours you could speed this up by popping it in the fridge for 30 minutes, but don't leave it any longer.

5. Lift out of the tin and slice into pieces. This will keep for a couple of weeks in an airtight container somewhere cool.

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Makes about 1kg

Drink Moscato d'Asti

Photo Marcel Aucar

Stylist Marnie Rowe

Karen MartiniKaren Martini is a Melbourne-based chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. She has a regular column in Good Weekend.

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