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CHRISTMAS RUM & CHESTNUT CHOCOLATE BITES CRANBERRY BELLINIS

MAKES 1 TRAY FOR SLICING Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Butter a 23cm brownie tin (or equivalent) then line the base and sides with baking paper, snipping the corners so the sides sit flat. Into a large bowl, sift 25g cocoa powder and 1 rounded tsp baking powder. Stir in 100g chestnut flour, 100g ground almonds and 100g demerara sugar then set aside. In a large bowl set over a pan containing a little simmering water, gently melt 200g dark chocolate (about 70 per cent) with 150g unsalted butter. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 2 tbsp dark rum (this is optional). In another large bowl whisk 4 medium eggs with 100g icing sugar for 4-5 minutes until pale, moussey and several times the volume. Lightly fold the chocolate mixture into the eggs in two goes, taking care not to over mix. Fold in the dry ingredients in two goes and transfer the mixture to the prepared tin. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted at the centre emerges with a few sticky crumbs. Leave to cool then cover and chill overnight. Remove from the tin and peel off the paper. Dust with icing sugar and a little cocoa and cut into 3cm-4cm squares (or larger if you wish). MAKES 6 Chill a bottle of champagne, prosecco or other sparkling wine. Place 200g cranberries with 2 tbsp caster sugar and 150ml sieved fresh orange juice or clementine juice in a small pan and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer over a low heat for 5 minutes until soft then press through a fine sieve and leave to cool. You should have about 200ml of runny purée. Cover and chill. When ready to serve, give the purée a stir then spoon a generous tablespoonful into six flutes and fill up with bubbles. Decorate to your liking. MAKES 6 Chill a bottle of sparkling wine or cider. Purée 200g blackberries with 2 tbsp caster sugar in a blender then press through a fine sieve into a bowl. Cover and chill for a couple of hours. Divide the purée among six glasses (about 1 tbsp in each), fill up with fizz and decorate with extra blackberries if wished.