Ginger Slice

Ginger slice or crunch is such an old-fashioned New Zealand treat. I find it almost comforting. I grew up with it and it always filled an empty tin at home. Ginger slice was one of those things that my mother made a lot of when I was little.

The taste and smell of ginger was never a favourite of mine when I was younger – especially the crystalised kind! I have since dicovered it’s wonder and these days tend to enjoy that extra kick that ginger provides.

Ginger slice can vary considerably – a hard crispy base or a more of a softer, thicker one. I am more familiar with the softer base from Mum’s recipe, although this recipe actually came from Sanitariam. No matter the recipe, ginger slice is always best with lots of thick gooey icing.

I have decided to change this recipe a wee bit and make it that *little* bit healthier and slightly more chewy. Like my Muesli Slice recipe I added a bunch of leftover cereal packets to the base. I love the flavours that come through with the ginger. Apricots, berries…sometimes other.

I made this slice a lot in December as it is perfect for all the end-of-year morning teas and Christmas celebrations that go on at work and elsewhere. If someone in your family loves ginger, they would definitely love this slice. I’ve seen some recipes that include crystalised ginger in either the base or as a decoration on top of the icing – an idea if you want to make the slice a little spicier.

Ginger Slice

For the base:

• 100 grams margarine
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¾ cup coconut
• 1 ½ cups crushed Sanitarium Weet-Bix (or any leftover cereal)
• ¾ cup white plain flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons powdered ginger

 For the icing:

• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 4 teaspoons golden syrup
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons ginger

Preheat oven to 180°C. In a large saucepan melt margarine, golden syrup and sugar together. Add remaining ingredients, blending well.

 

Press into a greased 20cm x 30cm slice pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. While hot, mark into squares. Then ice once cool, with hot icing.

 

For the icing, place margarine and golden syrup into saucepan and melt. Blend in icing sugar and ginger, and pour over base, while still warm.

 

Such a simple recipe, but very delicious.

Muesli Slice…

….Or what I like to call throw it all together slice! I’m a big one for holding on to things a little while loooonger than most would consider okay. Home and lifestyle mags, clothing, books, recipes I might never use, leftover ingredients…yes, that one tablespoon of golden syrup sitting so snuggly in the neck of that plastic bottle or a few spoonfuls of that muesli I really like but doesn’t quite span far enough for a bowl at breakfast time!

Now I think this is possibly something that came from my Mum  (don’t get me wrong, she is certainly no hoarder!). I just love turning out all those leftover packets of different cereals, dried fruit, and a few seeds and nuts lying around and creating something new. By themselves, they barely make a meal but put them together and you’ve got a very scrumptious and fairly nutritious muesli slice. Just throw it all together and ta daaaa!

This is one of the easiest slice recipes I’ve come across too. I was able to throw it all together in a matter of minutes. Again with this one I just love the versatility in adding anything you like – apricots, dried fruit, nuts….even a little bit of chocolate..ooooh.

Muesli Slice

I got this basic recipe from Sanitarium but added my own bits and pieces I had sitting around in the cupboard. Different mueslis or cereals have different flavours, so experiment with a few to see which ones you like best.

• 2 1/2 cups untoasted muesli (I combined two or three different cereals)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dried strawberries
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1/4 cup flaked almonds
• 1 1/4 cups self raising flour
• 125g margarine
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup honey

Pre heat oven to 175°C and line a 17cm x 27cm slice tin with baking paper or just spray a few times. Place muesli, coconut, strawberries, currants, almonds and flour in a large bowl. Melt margarine, with sugar and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add to muesli and mix well to combine. Place mixture into prepared tin and smooth the surface. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Cool completely before cutting into slices.

I iced my slice once it has cooled but it really is quite okay as it is!

For the icing

• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 2 and a half cups of icing sugar

Combined the cocoa and icing sugar with a little water. I always get this ratio very wrong but it seemed to be quite spreadable with 2 tablespoons. If you like a darker, more chocolaty taste – add more cocoa. This slice recipe is already quite low in fat compared to some slices but if you wanted to make it even more healthier…you could of course replace the 125 grams of margarine with 250 grams of apple sauce or puree!