Healthy Florentine

A delicious, healthy florentine recipe that's easy to make and easy on your waistline! These almond florentines make an amazing edible gift, afternoon treat, or light and sweet dessert.

This homemade florentines recipe is the latest addition to my "healthier treats" section. They are so easy to make and taste just like, if not better, the traditional almond florentines.

As with most of my recipes, these healthy florentines are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, grain-free, vegan and completely utterly delicious. And there's no baking involved either!

How are these vegan florentines different?

Traditional almond florentines are made with a heavy dose of butter, sugar and cream. They're ok for an occasional treat, but certainly not something you'd want to have too often if you're trying to eat healthier. And needless to say, they're not traditionally vegan-friendly either.

For this healthier alternative, you'll only need 3 ingredients and some dark chocolate if you're feeling indulgent.

Gluten-Free Florentine Ingredients

The secret to this recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. All are easy to find, and once you’ve tasted these gluten-free florentines, you won't want to go back!

The ingredients are as follows:

• Sliced Almonds: I have used sliced almonds because they stick together nicely, but you could try crushed almonds too. Just make sure they are all coated properly with the syrup and coconut oil mixture to help them stick together and stay together. 
• Maple Syrup - to add a hint of sweetness.
• Coconut Oil -  nothing works better than melted coconut oil, it adds a gentle coconut flavour while helping these beauties stick together.
• Dark Chocolate Chips (optional) - I love dark chocolate. Chocolate chips are easiest, but if you don’t mind a bit of chopping, a chopped good-quality dark or raw chocolate would be perfect too.

How to Make Healthy Almond Florentines

1. Start by roasting the almonds in the oven. You don't have to, but roasting the almonds take these florentines to the next level.
2. Preheat oven to 180C / 355F, line a baking tray with baking paper and roast the almonds for around 8 minutes
3. Once done, pop the almonds to a bowl and set aside (leave the baking tray with baking paper aside too, we will need it again)
4. Next, put the maple syrup and coconut oil together in a small pot and gently bring to boil
5. Take off the heat and pour the mixture straight onto the almonds
6. Let cool down for a minute or so and then take a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and flatten onto the baking tray
7. It should make 10 florentines.
8. Pop the tray into the freezer for around 15 minutes.
9. Melt the raw chocolate and then dip the bottom of the florentine into the chocolate and put it chocolate side up on a baking tray
10. Pop back in the freezer for 20 minutes to set.
11. Once you take the florentines out of the freezer place them into an airtight container and enjoy with coffee!

They taste almost like sweet crackers; they’re perfectly crispy while still being chewy. Simple and sweet.

Other healthy vegan treats to try

If you enjoyed thee healthy florentines, you'll also love our:

• Healthy chocolate brownie balls
• 3 Ingredient chocolate discs
• Healthy flapjack without butter
• Vegan bounty bars

As always please, if you make this recipe share it with me either on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I would love to see it! Hashtag #HediHearts