Vegan (Sugar-Free) Cantucci Dipped in Apple Nectar

In Italy, when visitors drop in at one's house in the afternoon they are welcomed with a glass of Vin Santo and sweet biscuits that resemble biscotti but which are smaller. This makes it easier to dip them into the wine glass. However for people who do not drink alcohol, this is a recipe of delicious sugar-free Cantucci served with pure apple juice simmered with raisins. It still tastes wickedly sweet, but is more wholesome and a lovely treat to have with guests.

Ingredients

apple nectar:

3 cups good quality, clear apple juice (preferably home-juiced)

½ cup raisins

2 tbsp apple syrup

'Cantucci:'

2 tbsp wholemeal spelt flour

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp ground linseeds (flaxseeds)

1 cup wholemeal spelt flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

4 tbsp apple syrup

2 tbsp soy milk

2 tsp vanilla-infused grape-seed oil / walnut oil

2 tsp almond butter

1 tsp almond essence

2 tbsp natural almonds

Method:

1. For the apple nectar: Simmer 1½ cups of the apple juice with the raisins and apple syrup for 5 minutes. Cool completely. Strain off the raisins and add the reduced apple juice to the remaining 1½ cups of apple juice. Refrigerate.

2. Make the starter dough: stir the 2 tbsp of spelt flour and 2 tbsp of water together. Leave for a day on the kitchen counter covered with a damp piece of absorbent kitchen towel. Stir a few times.

3. When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 190°C (370°F). Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking parchment.

4. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

5. Mix the liquid ingredients together in a cup. Add the starter, mix and pour into the dry ingredients. Fold the ingredients together to incorporate as much air as possible.

6. Pat the dough into a log. Make a shallow cut in the centre down the length of the log. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

7. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Lower the oven's temperature to 150°C (300°F).

8. Cut the log into 1.5 cm thick slices. Dry the 'Cantucci' in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

9. To serve, place the 'Cantucci' on a serving plate. Pour a glass of apple nectar for each person in which to dip the 'Cantucci'.

Serves 4.