Chocolate slice

The other day my brother and I were reminiscing about some of the food we used to eat after school to keep us going until dinner was served. It was always a meal I looked forward to, ravenous after a day of learning, and usually consisted of toast or savoury biscuits with cheese, some fruit and maybe something a little sweet. It got me thinking about other childhood favourites and immediately chocolate slice sprang to mind…

Chocolate slice was one of those staples that both my mother and grandmother regularly made.  They both had special ‘chocolate slice’ tins reserved for the task – and I think a slice tin was one of the first pieces of bakeware my mum gave me upon moving out of home.  It didn’t matter how many times we ate that slice, it was always satisfying and pleased both children and adults alike.  It’s quick and easy to make with no special ingredients needed, and in my family has been used to both a morning and afternoon tea staple, for bake-sales, birthday parties or just as a decadent little pick-me-up when you need a little chocolate in your life.

What you’ll need

For the slice:

• One cup of desiccated coconut (shredded coconut also works well)
• One cup of self-raising flour
• 3/4 cup of raw sugar
• Two tablespoons of cocoa powder
• Four tablespoons of melted margarine (butter also does the trick)
• One egg
• Dash of vanilla essence
• Pinch of salt

For the icing:

• Two cups of icing sugar
• One tablespoon of cocoa powder
• Little knob of butter (I estimate about a teaspoon’s worth)
• Dash of vanilla essence
• Dash of boiling water
• Desiccated or shredded coconut for decorating

How to do it

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl together
• In a separate bowl mix the melted margarine and egg
• Stir the wet and dry ingredients, until they just come together
• Press into a greased slice/brownie tin
• Bake for 20-25 minutes at 180°c in a fan forced oven

Allow to cool in the tin before icing, then using a sharp knife cut into as many or as few portions as you like!

Have a wonderful weekend. x