Friday 31 October 2008

Time for Tea



Hi everyone. It seems an age since I last blogged - motivation and inspiration just seems to have left me for the moment! Time to get back into the swing of things methinks. With it being half term and Josh being at home I do get special requests to cook his favourite things - none of which involve vegetables or fruit or anything healthy of course. I think his all time favourite treat comes from one of my all time favourite cookbooks which you can see above. It's a very slender volume, of around 40 pages which I bought in an art gallery when in Alston in Cumbria a few years ago. It is a compilation of recipes from tea rooms (my one weakness) located all over Britain and includes such delights as Mocha Slices, Border Jock, Cappucino Wedges and Dorset Apple Cake and gives a little information about the tea room that has contibuted the recipe. Josh's very favourite has to be Nanaimo Bars - an unusual very sweet confection and very easy to make - no ovens involved. You will need...

First Layer
4oz butter
1 1/2 oz caster sugar
3 level tsp cocoa
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
6oz crushed digestives
2oz dessicated coconut
2oz chopped walnuts

Second Layer
2oz butter
9oz icing sugar
2 level tbsp custard powder
3 tbsp boiling water

Third Layer
3oz plain chocolate
1 1/2 oz butter
1 1/2 tsp icing sugar


To make the first layer melt butter, sugar and cocoa in a small pan, over a gentle heat and stir until melted.



Add beaten egg and vanilla essence and cook for 1 minute without boiling. Remove from the heat.



Add bicuits, coconut and walnuts, give it a good stir and put into a greased tin that's about 10in by 6in. Refrigerate for 1 hour.



To make the second layer. Sieve icing sugar, add custard powder, butter and boiling water and mix until smooth. Spread over the first layer and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Complete the third layer by melting the chocolate and butter. Stir in the icing sugar and spread over the top. Leave bars to chill until firm, cut into slices and enjoy.


14 comments:

A Thrifty Mrs said...

Ooh this looks so yummy.

nimblejacks said...

ooh this looka yummy I'll try this with the kids tomorrow. The choccy torte on my blog we've made 3 times since we'll be furry up our arteries if we eat more...but it is sooooo good!! The raspberry muffins were great and they kept really well too. In the midst of sewing brooches, making stuffed heart felt brooches and filling my Etsy shop at the mo, but we took time to enjoy the garden todat and the autumn sunxxclaire

MelMel said...

Looks wonderful!
Love all your bridgewater!
FabXXXXX

Louise said...

Thanks for this recipe, I could eat the lot! I think a teashop would love these on their display. x

LinenandRoses said...

I'm also struggling to blog this week due to a very heavy cold that has totally zapped all energy and enthusiasm for anything. I'm also a huge tea shop fan. The book looks great as do the chocolate treats.

Country Cottage Chic said...

They do look good & easy too!

Anonymous said...

Oh yummy!!!!!!!!!!

Simone said...

Those bars look delectable! I bet I would love that book as I so love to bake!

MelMel said...

There are too many tempting mags out at the mo!
I like this one...the house are fab!xx

This Vintage Life... said...

Ooh, that looks lovely...and no baking! Hubby made chocolate fork biscuits last night, but there's not many left...they went down a treat with a mug of G & B's drinking choc....tut tut x

Teena Vallerine said...

Don't bother cutting it into slices - just hand it over!! LOVE that photo of an egg in bowl - would make a great Eco friendly greeting card - send it for Christmas and get it back at Easter! t.xxx

MelMel said...

Thank you for poping by, just seen that i didn't reply, sorry....:>))

Love the cake, must try that, but i fear i will prob scoff it all!
have a great weekend!
x

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Now that is a serious cake! One I would take most seriously with a cup of tea!
My mother used to use that chocolate in all her choc recipes... I always feel nostalgic when I see the packaging!
Thank you for your kind words..

Michelexx

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Thank you Tracey..
I have yet to receive my copy but I am very excited!!
Thank you for your kind support!

Michele x