It’s been three and a half months since I last stepped into my kitchen.  I was secretly worried I may have lost my touch and would no longer be able to bake mouth watering sweeties, so when being invited to my Aunt’s place for friday night pizza I thought there was no better opportunity to face my fears.

Chocolate Peanut Slice

Recipe adapted from chow.com

Ingredients

For the base:

• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
• 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 125g (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temp, cut into small chunks

For the Peanut topping:

• 1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted roasted peanuts

Method

1. Heat oven to 180c (350F) and line a 20x20cm (8×8 inch) baking tray.
2. Combine peanuts, flour, sugar, and salt in bowl of a food processor. Pulse until peanuts are ground and mixture is well combined. Add butter and pulse again until mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Press mixture evenly into the prepared baking tray and prick it all over with a fork. Bake until lightly golden, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a rack.
4. For the topping: Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
5. Bring sugar mixture to boil and continue boiling until mixture turns a deep caramel color, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, sprinkle chopped chocolate evenly over peanut shortbread.
6. Remove the pan from heat and carefully stir in cream and vanilla extract (mixture will bubble up and steam). Stir peanuts into caramel mixture and immediately pour over shortbread and chocolate base. Allow to cool completely then cut into rectangles and serve.