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Mary Anne here. Coming off of EIGHT weeks of denying myself chocolate, I was smitten by La Cucina Italiana’s June ’11 issue, featuring an incredible selection of indulgent cocoa-loaded recipes. The following recipe was inspired by their version of a chocolate “loaf” studded with a variety of nuts and crumbled butter cookies.
As I eagerly planned my impending re-entry into the world of gustatory gluttony, I fantasized daily about creating my own big brick of nuts and chocolate, imagining all of the possibilities that would culminate in something akin to an enormous “Chunky” candy bar. Soft, rich chocolate with the sweet chew of golden raisins and the delightful crunch of walnuts, toffee and almonds – and ta-da! – Compost Fudge was born. The perfect ending to a perfectly painful Lenten fast.
While at first glance, this is a total splurge on oh-so-many levels, I figured out how to justify it several ways. Firstly, it serves at least 12, and if you add any of the listed garnishes and flourishes suggested below, I’d bet you could stretch the serving amount and still satisfy up to 18. Secondly, I was pup-sitting for Mariel and her husband, and since they were returning the day after Easter, they absolutely HAD to have a chocolate treat hidden in the recesses of their fridge, right? I mean, what kind of Easter Bunny doesn’t remember the kids? Thirdly, this brick is brimming with all that is decadent yet it’s totally novice-friendly, it whips up in under 25 minutes, and is made the day before. And last but not least, after eight weeks of deprivation sans a support group, I needed a chocolate fix and I needed it badly. In the end, that’s really all the justification I needed.
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Compost Fudge: A Chocolate Brick Brimming with Walnuts, Raisins, Toffee and Butter Cookies
Serves 12
Notes: You will need a 10” bread loaf pan and either waxed or parchment paper.
Plan to remove from fridge about 1 ½ hours before slicing and serving
Serve with raspberries, sliced mango, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream…the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Of course, this big, very bad boy is fantastic all on its own.
Ingredients:
26 oz. baking chocolate (I used ½ semi-sweet morsels and ½ bittersweet morsels) – $6.29
1½ sticks butter – stock
3 Tablespoons strong coffee – stock
1 Tablespoon Kahlua (optional) – stock
1 cup unsalted, roasted almonds, coarsely chopped – $3.99
½ cup walnut pieces – stock
½ cup raisins – stock
1 cup Heath Toffee Pieces – $3.99
2 cups butter cookies, crumbled – $3.49
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $17.76
Total Per Serving: $1.48
Directions:
1. Line a 10” bread pan with wax or parchment paper. Be sure to leave at least a 1-2 inch over hang on all 4 sides, as you’ll use these to lift the big candy bar out of the tin before serving.
2. Combine the Heath Toffee, nuts, cookies, and raisins in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water (remember, the top pan with the chocolate should never touch the actual hot water), melt the chocolate with the butter, hot coffee and a dash of Kosher or sea salt. Stir occasionally until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the Kahlua, if desired.
4. Immediately pour the melted chocolate mixture over the nut/cookie mix, stirring well to combine.
5. Transfer to the prepared pan, sprinkle with a bit more sea salt, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6. About an hour and 15 minutes before serving, bring the candy loaf back to room temperature, unwrapped, on the counter top. (If it’s super cold in your abode, give it 2 hours.)
7. Serve solo or with any of the accompaniments listed above.
Wow! Kahlua, toffee….yes please! This would be very dangerous in my house…especially with a hot cup of coffee.
This looks incredible! I can already taste it…I will definitely be making this!
‘Chocolate Brick’. Those are magical words!
Couldn’t agree more! M&M
You had me at “chocolate loaf,” then you threw in “Chunky” and I nearly fainted. You then completely pushed me over the edge when you added the Heath bits. Oh. My.
Love the idea of a “brick” of chocolate!
Kahlua – stock ‘check’, now to run out and buy the rest…kidding, I have more than Kahlua in my stock :o). Roll me in some powdered sugar and give me a brick of chocolate, that’s happiness right there.
YUM. That photo almost took my breath away.
Oh my, this looks heavenly! The addition of Khalua gives this stunning dessert such an elegant touch. I’d love to have this waiting for me in the fridge!! 🙂
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! 😀 Hope I can substitute the Heaths Toffee Pieces as we don’t get that.
🙂 Mandy
PS. I am sure I put on a bit of weight just reading this post. 😉
oh. em. gee. . . . want.
Oh, fudge. How I love thee.
omg yum
Wow! That looks amazing! Chocolate overload 🙂
I am drooling. I think I’ll add pistachios, as I have some on hand. Compost has never been so delicious.
Oooh! Pistachios are my fave. Sadly, for feasting on the cheap, we’re already stretching the old wallet with the almonds. But I think next time I concoct this just for the fam, pistachios will just HAVE to drop into the mix!! Thanks for your note and happy Friday. M&M
When you have a chocolate craving you don’t mess around! This looks like an amazing fudge recipe. I would love to veganize it one of these days…
You had me at “chocolate brick.” Seriously, you didn’t even have to explain anything after that. And justify it? Not necessary! I’m all over this…
I almost bite my computer when I saw the first picture. Love this dessert! Almost looks like “chocolate salami” but in the shape of a loaf. Bookmarking it to try soon, thanks!