Cookery: chocolate treats with a twist

Dairy-free or with hidden veg, our tempting treats are sure to please!

Chocolate Hazelnut Banoffee Pie

Prep Time: 25 mins, plus chilling Cooking Time: 25 mins

Course: dessert Serves: 8 Vegan

200 g (7 oz) vegan biscuits

30 g (1 oz) blanched hazelnuts, plus extra for decorating

1½ tbs cocoa powder

2 tbs maple syrup

3 tbs vegan butter

1 x 400 g tin of coconut milk

2 tbs cornflour

1 tsp vanilla extract

100 g (3½ oz) light brown sugar Pinch of salt

200 ml (7 fl oz) Elmlea Plant Double 2 bananas

50 g (1¾ oz) vegan dark chocolate

1 Line the base of a 20 cm (8 in) tart tin with baking paper.

2 Add the vegan biscuits, hazelnuts, cocoa powder and maple syrup to a food processor. Then melt the vegan butter in a microwave and add it to the food processor. Process the mixture until broken down and it holds together when pressed between your fingers. Transfer the base mixture to the tart tin and use your fingers to spread it evenly across the base and sides.

3 Next, transfer 3 tablespoons of the coconut milk to a small bowl and stir in the cornflour until it forms a paste. Then add the remaining coconut milk to a saucepan over a mediumhigh heat along with the vanilla extract, sugar, pinch of salt and cornflour paste from earlier. Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring regularly, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until it forms a thick caramel.

4 Pour the caramel straight into the tart tin and leave to cool to room temperature, then transfer to the fridge to set for 2 hours.

5 When you’re ready to serve, slice the bananas into ½ cm (¼ in) thick rings and lay them over the caramel. Next pour the Elmlea Plant Double into a mixing bowl and whisk until it forms stiff peaks and has doubled in size. Spoon the whipped cream over the bananas and spread it all over the pie.

6 To finish, roughly chop a handful of hazelnuts and the dark chocolate, then sprinkle both all over the banoffee pie.