Friday 13 March 2009

Rocky Road Crunch Bars

When I was a child my Mother made a concoction of teabiscuits and chocolate which were called in our family ' Alistair's cakes' because a cousin of that name loved them. My brother who pops into my blog demanded of me why I didn't make them and write about them here. I refuse to. It's family confession time. I hated them. I never had the courage to confess that to my Mother. Dark chocolate was not readily available then for baking and it was prohibitively expensive so therefore not used. Wanton extravagance don't you know. A concoction of eggs and cocoa powder or drinking chocolate was made instead. Tea biscuits were broken and added. Marshmallows and syrup were meant to go into the mix but my Mother didn't like them. Gave her the heartburn and so were excluded. The whole confection was covered in melted chocolate flavoured 'Scotbloc' then cut into squares. When I first saw Nigella Lawson's Rocky Roads, it occurred to me they were much the same but much richer and used chocolate. Lots of it. I was intrigued. A comparison had to be made. Trust me there is no comparison. These are a delight. I recommend if you have never made them you must. So easy and a mouthful of sheer heaven. With apologies to my Mother.

Rocky Road Crunch Bars

Ingredients


125g/4½oz soft unsalted butter
300g/10½oz best-quality dark chocolate, broken into pieces
3 tbsp golden syrup
200g/7¼oz rich tea biscuits
100g/3½oz mini marshmallows
2 tsp icing sugar, to dust


Method


1. Heat the butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a heavy-based saucepan over a gentle heat. Remove from the heat, scoop out about 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted mixture and set aside in a bowl.
2. Place the biscuits into a plastic freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin until some have turned to crumbs but there are still pieces of biscuit remaining.
3. Fold the biscuit pieces and crumbs into the melted chocolate mixture in the saucepan, then add the marshmallows.
4. Tip the mixture into a 24cm/9in square baking tin and smooth the top with a wet spatula.
5. Pour over the reserved 125ml/4½fl oz of the melted chocolate mixture and smooth the top with a wet spatula.
5. Refrigerate for about two hours or overnight.
6. To serve, cut into 24 fingers and dust with icing sugar.


Tip:

If you line the baking tin with baking parchment leaving an overhang, you can lift the whole slab out making it so much easier to cut.

Oh and I forgot to reserve some of the chocolate mix to spread on the top. Didn't make a whit of difference. One chore less.

SHORT VERSION FOR COPY



19 comments:

Anonymous said...

They look lovely Brenda, I can't say that I much fancy your Mother's version either (they sound like something my nan made!). Lovely to read a little more about your family.

arista said...

sounds very moreish, yum. "melted chocolate flavoured 'Scotbloc'" sounds horrible!!

Rachelle S said...

These sound like a treat!

Leslie said...

Now these sound like heaven on a plate! I will take some with a big glass of milk!

Gloria Baker said...

Absolutely nice,lok yummy,, dear Brenda Im sending some pictures today to your mail,xxxGloria

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy. I think we Malaysian have something similar which uses Marie biscuit (uncrushed) instead.

Rhyleysgranny said...

George and Arista They were pretty gross. :)

Gloria Thank you for your lovely pics x:)

Rachelle Leslie and Blossom Thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment. You are always welcome here

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious. I found your blog through tastespotting and just wanted to say that I'd love to try making these, and that your site made me smile. :)

♥Rosie♥ said...

I have such a soft spot for Rocky Roads and your look very delish Granny!!

I really love your new look of your blog very pretty!

La Bella Cooks said...

I loved these when I made them for my kids. I think I may have had a few more than my kids ;)

Anna's kitchen table said...

'scotbloc' what a blast from the past! I remember it well, LOL
xx

Maria♥ said...

Love the new blog look Brenda!

I love Rocky Road Crunch Bars, yours look so yummy!

Maria
x

hungryandfrozen said...

I made something similar recently, it's dangerously moreish stuff. Will have to try Nigella's version. Blog looking fab :)

James said...

This is looking so yummy. Very very thanks for Ingredients, let me try to make.

Clabby said...

Perfect - I think I'll go for these. Would you use the dark choc even if it's for children?

Rhyleysgranny said...

@ Clabby. I think I would go for milk or a mix of milk and plain. I know Rhyley who is five does not like the bitterness of dark chocolate. I prefer a mix myself. Hope you enjoy them. let me know :)

Clabby said...

These were the perfect recommendation. I used milk to suit the children but they were still delicious. Doubled the quantity and was still able to make it as one batch. Cut into loads of small squares to meet the number I required, kept well in the fridge, transported well and they freeze well. Have even been asked for the recipe. Nice to find a new traybake - will be making these again and again. Thanks!

Rhyleysgranny said...

Clabby I am so glad they wotked out got you. Thanks so much for letting me know :)

Rhyleysgranny said...

Sorry that should read FOR lol