Sunday 7 August 2011

Apricot Slice GF SCD

Apricot slice on a plate

We've had a lovely long weekend! It was my daughter's birthday on Friday and since the weather was warm, we decided to go to the beach! It's some years since I've been to the East Coast but there are some lovely beaches on this side of the UK one of which is Cayton Bay.

Cayton Bay on a sunny day when the beach is quiet

It was very quiet, the sun was shining, we had a picnic on the beach and it turned out to be a fantastic day! 

Apricot Slice GF SCD

350g ground almonds (almond flour)
90g organic butter or coconut butter
1- 2 tblsps cold water
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
250g organic dried apricots
320ml 100% freshly squeezed orange juice
60g raisins
1 tsp cinnamon

Measure out the ground almonds and pour into the food processor bowl. Cut the butter or coconut butter into small pieces and add to the almonds with the bicarbonate of soda and salt.


Pulse the butter and almond flour in a food processor

Pulse a few times until the butter and the flour start to come together. Starting with 1 tablespoon, add the cold water. Pulse a few more times until the pastry forms a ball, adding a little more water if necessary.



Almond flour pastry in the food processor

Wrap in greaseproof paper or foil and leave in the fridge to chill.



Wrap the almond flour pastry in foil

To make the filling, tip the apricots into a pan and pour on the orange juice. I've recently been given some digital scales and I love the fact that I can re-set to zero and measure in any unit.


Measure the orange juice onto the pan with the apricots

Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.


Cooked apricots in the pan

Allow to cool down for ten minutes then blend with a hand blender or in a processor until smooth and stir in the cinnamon and the raisins. Leave on the side to cool down.

Blended apricots in a pan

We buy Sun-maid raisins because they have no additives or preservatives.


Sun Maid Raisins in the tub

Set the oven to 160°C and lightly grease an 18cm or smaller square tin with butter. I use a loose-based tin because it's much easier to get the slice out. Divide the pastry in half and press one half into the tin then spread the apricot mixture over the pastry.

Spread the apricot filling over the pastry in the tin

Now comes the tricky part! The trouble with almond flour pastry is being able to roll it so it stays in one piece. I've almost mastered the art! Tear off a large piece of greaseproof paper longer than double the size of your tin. Lay it on the work surface and place the pastry in the middle of the left half of the paper. Fold the other half of the paper over the pastry and lightly roll the pastry to size over the paper.

Roll the almond flour pastry for the top of the slice

Since the pastry sticks to the paper, lift the paper and position it over the filling. Gently separate the pastry from the paper by peeling the paper away from the pastry.

Lay the almond flour pastry over the apricot filling

If it doesn't come away cleanly don't worry, just patch the areas where necessary.

Apricot Slice in the tin ready to bake in the oven

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180°C , then reduce the heat to 160°C for 5 to 10 minutes until the pastry is golden. Keep your eye on it for the last five minutes.

Baked Apricot Slice

 Leave to cool in the tin or serve warm.

close up of apricot slice