raspberry coconut slice

it has been a while since i tried a new recipe. my old faves are easy & yummy & we get by. but i have been wanting to try an old fashioned slice like this one. i found this one here after much searching. not sure why i went with this but i am sooo glad i did. this is seriously good. no baking things separately either...the base is a pain in the arse to spread but it turns out light & almost cake-like. bake this slice. you will love it. especially for afternoon tea like i just did.

use a slice tin. bake at 180 degrees or a little less for fan-forced

base:

3 tblsp butter ( i used 60g as i figured that was close enough)

125g sugar (i used castor sugar)

1 egg

vanilla

1 1/4 cups sr flour

filling:

1/2 cup raspberry jam

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

method:

• beat butter & sugar to a cream
• add egg & beat well. add vanilla
• gradually sift in flour & a pich of salt to work it into a stiff paste
• press out evenly into a lined tin
• spread jam over pastry - melt it in the microwave & this is easy!
• make the filling by beating the egg (i just whisked it a little as my mixer was long put away) then add the sugar & coconut
• sprinkle mixture over the jam (i used my fingers & dropped little clumps on top & then gently spread it with my fingers
• bake in oven until lightly brown - mine took 18 minutes & it was perfect
• cool slightly before cutting into squares 9or if you are me, cut into big slabs!)

caramel slice

i think my nan gave me this recipe...or one of her church friends. she taught me about cooking & all things homey like gardening & craft. she was an amazing woman & i felt very close to her. lets get to the slice shall we?

it is made in 3 layers which sounds time consuming but isn't at all. no mixmaster is required.
use a slice tin (lined with baking paper) approx 28cm x 18cm & preheat oven to 180 degrees (a little less for fan forced)

base:
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup sr flour
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
100g butter

sift the flours & add the coconut.
melt the butter & sugar in a pan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
add butter mixture to flours & mix with a spoon.
press it into the tin (which is lined with baking paper).
bake for about 10 minutes.
*i don't sift anything, i just run a whisk through it. the less washing up the better.
**don't let it brown too much as it cooks again with the filling
cool slightly & start on the filling

filling:
1 tin condensed milk
2 tblsp golden syrup
30g butter

combine everything in a non-stick saucepan & stir continuously over low heat for about 10 minutes. it will thicken & go a little darker in colour.
pour mixture over your base & bake for 15-20 minutes.
**keep checking on it in the oven as it does go quite dark & you don't want it to burn.
cool completely.

topping:
melt 150g dark chocolate and spread over filling.
allow to just set & cut into portions.
**i use lindt 70% when it's on special & when the slice is for someone other than the family...otherwise the dark chocolate buttons are fine.
**it is also cuts neater if you cut it before it sets rock hard in the fridge.

now, try & resist eating more than 2 pieces in a seating!

intro & disclaimer

so, this is my second blog of half baked & half arsed ideas...only this time with a cooking theme. welcome & i hope you enjoy!

me....i am just a little cook at home who enjoys a bit of baking mostly. my man in the house is better at the mains than me. he rocks at asian & indian dishes. he has that gift for spices...and not measuring anything. me...i am more about baking cakes, tarts, slices & all things laden with calories....and i like using a recipe & i like following it...mostly.

these are not my own creations. this is the disclaimer all you lawyer savvy peeps....i am merely guiding you to sites/recipes that i love & that maybe you want to try as well. mostly i will know where i found the recipes....but sometimes i won't. i am not saying they are my own, i just don't know where i originally got them from! so call off the men in suits.

also, if i give a review of a restaurant, it is my opinion & i am entitled to it. if you don't like what i say & you own the restaurant, give me a free meal for another go & i might write a better review. ok, so no men in suits & we are all happy....