REFRIGERATOR CAKE

I have no idea where this recipe came from, but I have been making it for well over 40 years. My daughter made it as a very young child, introducing her to the art of baking, even though there is no real baking here! But with little effort you get a great result. It’s all in the quality of the ingredients!

Prepare, and line with baking parchment a swiss roll tin, or similar. I use 12” x 8” for this amount.

12 oz  finely crushed Digestive Biscuits [in a poly bag with a rolling pin]

4 oz butter, melted

4 tablespoons golden syrup, warmed until runny

Fruit and nuts to taste - loads of them

2 tablespoons of good quality cocoa - Green & Blacks is very good

Melted best quality chocolate for the top.

I used Ecuador 70% Arriba Cocoa, with Orange [Lidl, just under £1] I used about 200 gr

In a bowl, tip in the crushed biscuits, add the melted butter, runny syrup and cocoa.

Then the choice is yours. I will give you some ideas, but the options are limitless, more or less.

Sultanas, big fat juicy raisins, dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried apricots, assorted seeds and nuts, chopped dates, even coconut, too many to type here….. walnuts, pecans, almonds etc. But roughly chop big nuts like brazils etc. Just use your favourites. Pile it in the mix, then press firmly into the tin, getting into the corners. I use the back of a dessertspoon to smooth and level it out. You need to press really well to get it as flat and tightly packed as you can for the chocolate - use a small rolling pin if you have it.

Place in the fridge while you melt the chocolate. Enough for a nice layer over the top. I like 70% cocoa solids, see above but any good chocolate They have some great flavours these days too. I keep meaning to try chilli chocolate on top.

For the squares in the photo, I used chopped walnuts, apricots, a packet of Lidl Berry mix and a few raisins. It’s a great way to use up left over bits and pieces.

When melted, spread all over the mix and replace it in the fridge until baked!!!!

Cut into whatever size squares you fancy and store in an airtight container. Will keep almost week in a cool place. Very good!

Very easy.