Okay, okay, this one might not strictly be an Expat absolute Essential, but if you are English, and miss the convenience of the great food halls of a well-known high street branch or three, I think you might agree that this one (at a push) deserves that Expat Essential title? I know I miss the silver tubs of sweet treats like this that proved so handy (if not slightly dangerous!) to have about… If you are still not sure you agree on it being an “Essential” then I will be back in a couple of weeks with something actually really ever so essentially essential – promise!
Anyway, this Rocky Road/Tiffin/Refrigerator Cake, whatever you want to call it, is great for a few reasons. Do you have lots of dried fruit, bits of chocolate, half eaten packets of biscuits that need using up? Make this… Need something that you can hide healthy stuff in but is still sinfully wicked? Make this… Need something slightly comforting after a tough morning tackling the detritus that is your Bavarian garden after Winter? Make this! Even better, put it in a vaguely similar shaped plastic tub, and you can pretend that it’s the real thing…
Ingredients
125g Unsalted Butter;
300g Chocolate (plain, milk or both!) broken into chunks;
3tbsp Golden Syrup (or Zuckerrübensirup if you are in DE);
175g Digestive biscuits broken into chunks (most biscuits work well Expats – fear not!);
75g Mini Marshmallows;
30g Dried Pineapple;
30g Dried Cherries;
30g Chopped Brazil Nuts.
In a pan over a medium-low heat, melt together the butter, chocolate, and golden syrup. In a bowl, place the broken biscuits, marshmallows and other ingredients. Pour over the melted chocolate and give it a good stir. Pour it into a lined tin and leave in the fridge until set. Cut into slices and keep in the refrigerated until you need it – although that won’t be for very long , I guarantee it!
“Famous” tiffin made by me, photography by me, tea by Twinings, beautiful cups by the very talented Katherine Pollen… And if the “Easter Hare” happens to be reading this (for it is a Hare here, not a Bunny), I am all for another cup or tea-pot more of this stuff, don’t feel like you need to leave chocolate – much obliged!
Mel says
These look absolutely divine! I could even make it ‘free from’ for my allergy baby quite easily, yum! Thanks for sharing. Mel
bavaria says
Thank you Mel! :)
Kate @ Family Fever says
LOVE tiffin – always remember having it around the bonfire on November 5th! This recipe looks just right. #TastyTuesday
bavaria says
Thanks Kate! Completely love all the variations and traditions coming in surrounding tiffin! :)
Honest Mum says
Wow stunningly beautiful, almost too pretty to eat! I must make these omitting the nuts, thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
bavaria says
Thank you… I think you can pretty much chuck in what you like! :)
older mum in a muddle says
OMG. I love tiffin; that’s what we call it in my family – my mum has a mean recipe for coffee and dark chocolate tiffin – it rules! X
bavaria says
Another great variation! Thank you S :) x
Sarah Ebner says
Tiffin is one of my favourite, favourite things ever!! I have a brilliant recipe which is stuffed full of dark and milk chocolate and which always goes down a treat. I’ve never used pineapple though, so that may be an excuse to try yours…
bavaria says
Thanks Sarah, love the sound of your recipe too! :)
Rebecca says
Oh blimey – that looks good. Off to pin to make for when I’m not on a health kick.
bavaria says
Thanks Rebecca… Just put some more dried fruit in it and it could be even healthier! :D
Amanda says
Love those mugs, gorgeous. I’ve never made tiffin, but love to eat it. I must make some for next time I have friends round. :)
bavaria says
Thank you! Gorgeous aren’t they? A friend of mine here happens to be Katherine’s sister which is how I found out about her lovely ceramics! :)
Ruth says
Yum, that looks so good! When I was pregnant Rocky Road and Tiffin were what I lived on for several months. The stuff out here in Oz is gross – the pink marshmallows taste nasty, and it often has peanuts in which rules it out for our house, so I think homemade is the way to go.
bavaria says
Thanks Ruth… I have at least one Expat’s approval then so it can be listed as an Essential! :)
Michelle Twin Mum says
Ohh, I’ve never dried dried pineapple in it before, nice! Mich x
bavaria says
Thanks Michelle! :) x
3yearsandhome says
Swap the pineapples and cherries for Crunchie and that’s pretty perfect to me. Love the cups as well x
bavaria says
I do love all these variations on the recipe… Keep em coming! :) x
Midlife Singlemum says
Tiffin is one of those words I keep forgetting what it is when I hear it. And then I look it up (or visit your blog in this case) and say, oh yes, I remember now. This would be great for me as my oven is no longer up to baking and I can’t afford a new one just yet. Thanks.
bavaria says
No problem, hope you like it! :)
Grace says
Ohhh and with that my Lent resolution broken I would love a slice right now! Beautiful mug – I am scouring the fields here for the real thing here ‘mad March hares’ to photograph. x
bavaria says
We haven’t seen many here yet either… Still hibernating obviously! :) xx
maggy, red ted art says
Yum yum yum!
bavaria says
Thanks Maggy! :)
Pinkoddy says
Oh gosh that looks so yummy and that it wouldn’t last very long at all.
bavaria says
Thank you Joy! :)
becky says
Oh i do like a bit of tiffin!
bavaria says
Oh me too Becky, me too! :D Thank you…
Aly says
Ooooh dried pineapple sounds nice Emma.I have an Easter rocky road recipe I want to change a bit as it has nuts in it (oldest has an allergy).
bavaria says
Thank you Aly! :)
Fiona Watson says
Scrum-delish! had been toying with the idea of making choccie biccie cake, but this is even better! In fact I feel an Easter tea party/egg hunt coming on :)
bavaria says
That sounds like a good plan! I can now imagine these topped with mini eggs! You can find them here, although they are milka eggs not strictly the same! Thank you! :)