Chocolate Coconut Rough Slice

This chocolate coconut Coconut Rough slice is so easy and utterly delicious. This two layered slice has a simple chocolate biscuit base and on top is a delicious coconut frosting that melds with the base to form a delicious chocolatey coconut slice! No mixer or special equipment necessary-just a bowl and a spoon will do! And this is a pushy recipe Dear Reader, especially if you love the chocolate coconut combination.

This is my friend Nic's family recipe for Coconut Rough slice. I love using her recipes because they're always reliably good and they're also very easy and achievable. A while back Nic kindly shared with me a whole range of family slices and I've been working through them.

This slice does require baking the bottom layer but given how simple it is to put together it isn't that much of an effort. This slice is perfect for lovers of coconut rough or the chocolate coconut combination (although ironically it contains cocoa powder, not actual chocolate). It's so simple that I don't really need to go into detail of the ingredients.

It is in fact so simple that you can easily do it while distracted. The day I made this I had a couple of recipes that I needed to test out: this slice and another more complicated cake recipe.

I was going well time-wise but then we had a little visitor to our home. We have a neighbour who has a cute little moodle called Mary. She's a senior lovely (which you may know is my favourite type of dog) but as my neighbour works, Mary is by herself at home during the day. We offered to take Mary in for a few hours each day so she could have some doggy interaction.

I was so excited to get Mary because not only is she sweet but she also reminds me of my beloved Mochi. I didn't want her to feel anxious in our apartment so I would always try and spend time with her and pat and reassure her in between a busy day cooking.

So how did Mr Teddy Elliott feel about this? He was ok with Mary but whenever I would come out from the kitchen to pat Mary some FOMO jealousy would emerge and he would quickly run out of the other room to get his share of pats too. It wasn't so bad where he would ever growl at Mary or anything, it's more as if to remind me, "Hey I'm your boy, you love me right?". I found that if I pat each dog with one hand but maintained eye contact with Teddy that seemed to placate him.

Sadly, I was so distracted that I completely messed up the cheesecake recipe! But this slice turned out perfectly. So not only is this slice easy to make and tasty, it's also distraction proof too not to mention totally delicious!

So tell me Dear Reader, do you like the chocolate coconut combination? Are you good at cooking while distracted?

Chocolate Coconut Rough Slice

An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 14

For the base layer:

• 1 cup/150g/5ozs. plain all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup/45g/1.6ozs. desiccated coconut
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup/55g/1.9ozs. caster or superfine sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Pinch salt
• 130g/4.6ozs. butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For topping:

• 2 cups/260g/9ozs. icing or powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 3/4 cups/150g/5ozs desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 100g/3.5ozs. butter, melted
• 100g/3.5ozs. sweetened condensed milk
• 1-2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 165C/330F and line a 20x20cms or 8x8inch square tin with parchment on the base and sides. Whisk the flour, coconut, baking powder, sugar, cocoa and salt until well combined. Add in the melted butter and vanilla and stir to combine. Press into the prepared tin and bake for 20 minutes or until set.

Step 2 - While the base is baking, mix the topping ingredients. Spread it over the cooked base and smooth with an angled spatula. Allow to set firm either at room temperature or in the fridge. Cut into slices. This will keep in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks (if it isn't eaten before then!).