This chocolate hedgehog slice combines sweet crunchy biscuits encased in rich fudgy chocolaty layer and finished with creamy melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate.
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This easy hedgehog slice could not be easier. With just a few simple ingredients you can whip up this irresistible treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the satisfying crunch of biscuits (aka cookies).
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy no bake slice, no need to turn on the oven.
- Fun and simple recipe that's great to make with the kids.
- A crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for chocolate lovers.
- Make it ahead for easy entertaining.
- Travels well, great for a picnic or bring a plate (aka potluck).
Looking for more easy Aussie slices? Why not try making my chewy Anzac biscuit slice or simple apple crumble slice. Delicious
Ingredients
Sweet biscuits: (aka cookies my my North American friends). Marie biscuits are traditionally used but any similar sweet biscuit would also work, such as arrowroot or scotchfinger. You could also change these up a bit with any other kind of sweet, unfilled biscuit. Chocolate ripple would be delicious, but you would lose the pretty look when cutting the slice.
Cocoa powder: adds a chocolatey flavor to this classic chocolate slice. Natural cocoa powder is fine, no need for Dutch-processed in this recipe, but it would do in a pinch if that's all you have.
Sweetened condensed milk: adds sugar and all-important stickiness to this easy slice. This is not the same as evaporated milk and you can not substitute with it.
Desiccated coconut: is finely grated coconut, commonly used in baking. The fine texture helps it mix into the slice. I don't recommend using shredded coconut, the pieces would be to big and make the texture strange.
Unsalted butter: is best for this recipe to help bind it together.
Nuts: walnuts are traditionally used in this slice but I mixed things up with almonds instead.
Milk chocolate: is the traditional topping for this easy chocolate slice. You could experiment with dark chocolate if you prefer.
Refined coconut oil - sometimes also called expeller-pressed coconut oil. Using refined coconut oil is important because the refining process removed the coconut flavor and smell, resulting in neutral oil.
How to make Hedgehog Slice
Grease and line the cake tin with baking (parchment) paper. Roughly chop the almonds.
Lightly crush the biscuits into a range of sizes, from crumbs upwards. You could use a mortar and pestle for this or pop the biscuits into a zip lock bag, cover them with a teatowl on a chopping board and gently bash with a rolling pin. Add the crushed biscuits to a bowl with the coconut. Sift into the cocoa powder and mix well.
Melt the butter and condensed milk together in a microwave-proof jug in the microwave or in a small pot on the stove. Mix well until combined, then pour into the dry ingredients.
Mix well, then tip into the lined cake tin and smooth down until the mix is flat and evenly spread out in the tin.
Chop the milk chocolate into small pieces. Add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-proof bowl with the coconut oil. Melt into the microwave in 30 second to one minute bursts. Mix well.
Tip the melted chocolate onto the slice and spread out evenly. Make sure you gently tap the tin a few times on the bench to help get out any air bubbles. Put into the fridge for two to three hours to set.
Use the overhanging baking paper to help remove the slice from the tin, then cut it into pieces with a large, sharp knife. To get an even cut you can warm the knife gently in warm water first, dry off quickly, then slice.
How to serve
To serve this chocolate condensed milk slice pop it onto a place and enjoy! Perfect for a kid's party or for afternoon tea with a cup of tea or coffee. Delicious!
How to store
This easy hedgehog slice will store well in a covered container at room temperature for up to a week. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
To freeze slice into individual pieces and freeze on a tray first. Once frozen transfer to an airtight container lined with greaseproof paper and between the slices. It can be frozen for up to three months.
Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below!
Recipe tips and frequently asked questions
Why is it called hedgehog slice?
To be honest no one really knows. The slice is similar to Italian chocolate salami, English Tiffin and German Hund (aka cold dog). One theory is the alternating layers of chocolate and biscuits resemble the spines of a hedgehog. But in Australia we don't have hedgehogs so it remains a mystery!
It is Australian?
It sure is. One of the original recipes with butter, sugar, eggs, walnuts, cocoa power and Marie biscuites was published in an Australian newspaper in 1937. It has been a firm favourite at kids parties, bake sales, office get togethers and morning and afternoon teas ever since!
What are the best biscuits to use?
Any sweet, dry biscuit will work in this recipe. It's traditionally made with Marie biscuits but other similar biscuits such as milk Arrowroot, Nice or Scotch finger would work. For a twist on the traditional slice you could try making it with chocolate chip, chocolate ripple or even gingernut snaps!
Does it have nuts?
Yes the traditional recipe has walnuts, but I mixed things up with roasted almonds instead. You could replace them with your preferred nut, or leave them out altogether.
Can I make it without nuts?
Absolutely. To make a nut-free version simply leave out the nuts, it will still taste delicious!
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📖 Recipe
Hedgehog Slice
Equipment
- 1 x 8" (20cm) square cake tin or baking tin of choice.
- baking paper or parchment paper
Ingredients
To make the base
- 1 & ½ packets (375 gms total) sweet biscuits such as
- ¼ cup (25gms) cocoa powder
- ½ cup (40gms) dessicated coconut
- 1 cup (250gms) unsalted butter
- 1 tin (397 gms/14 oz) tin sweetened condensed milk
Optional
- ⅔ cup roasted nuts such as almonds or wallnuts
To ice the slice
- 1 medium sized block (250gms/9 oz) milk chocolate
- 3 teaspoons neutral oil such as refined coconut oil
Instructions
- Grease and line your cake tin, leaving enough overhang to help get the slice out once its set.
- Lightly crush the biscuits into a range of sizes. Roughtly chop the almonds. Add the crushed biscuits into a bowl with the coconut and almonds. Sift in the cocoa powder and mix well.
- Melt the condensed milk and butter together in a microwave proof jug in the microwave. Mix well.
- Add the condensed milk and butter to the dry ingredients and mix well. Tip into the lined cake tin and smooth down until the mix is evenly spread out in the tin and flat.
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Add the chocolate and neutral oil to a microwave-proof bowl. Melt in the microwave for 30 second to one minuit bursts until melted.
- Mix well, then tip the melted chocolate onto the slice and spread evently. Gently tap the tin a few times on the bench to help get out any air bubbles.
- Put in the fridge for two the three hours to set.
- Use the overhanging baking paper to remove the slice from the tin, the cut into pieces with a large sharp knife.
Notes
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