If panforte is too time consuming or complicated a flavour combo, then give this one a whirl. It’s a sort of torrone- light recipe, borrowed from an Ursula Ferrigno recipe book I often use. A crude friend describes it as a posh version of those sweet sesame snaps you can buy in newsagents – and actually there are worse descriptions. But dress it up in its party clothes with a pretty bow and put in under the tree for someone special, and I’m sure they won’t be disappointed. (Whereas if you buy them a pack of sesame snaps from the newsagent, they might well be.)
Roast the almonds and the chop them into little bits. Melt the honey on a medium heat, add the sugar and slowly bring to the boil. Then mix in the sesame seeds and nuts. Pour the mixture into a loaf tin lined with parchment paper or bake-o-glide. Use something flat (eg your hand) to smooth out and flatten the mixture and leave it to cool before turning out.
