Chocolate mendiants are traditional French sweets during Christmas time. The chocolate discs are studded with nuts and fruit to represent the four monastic orders of the church - usually raisins, figs, hazelnuts and almonds. In our household, however, I make chocolate treats all year round. These ones are decorated with goji berries and coconut, apricots and almonds, pumpkin seeds and ginger, and mini marshmallows. Just go crazy with your toppings...

Makes 12 little discs
1/2 c cacao powder
1/2 c cacao butter
2 tbsp rice malt syrup (or another natural sweetener)

Heat some water in a saucepan over low heat. Place a metal or glass bowl on top and melt cacao butter slowly in it. Mix in cacao powder and sweetener until fully combined. Pour evenly into mini muffin tins and decorate with whatever fruit, nuts and seeds take your fancy. Chill in fridge until set. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of weeks.