Hedgehog Biscuits

bluemoon downunder's Note:

Hedgehogs are simple, unbaked biscuits that have been around for generations: an Australian classic! And a great lunchbox, snack and afternoon tea favourite! Hedgehogs can be made with or without nuts. If omitting the nuts, use 1/2 cup extra of the biscuits. As an alternative, you can use almonds or walnuts. Adapted from a recipe from the Simply Great Meals Club website. 125 gms = 4 oz.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 Hedgehogs

• 125 g unsalted butter
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup coconut
• 2 cups Marie biscuits (for Australians) or 2 cups graham crackers, broken into pieces (for Americans)
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts

Icing

• 125 g dark chocolate
• 125 g milk chocolate
• 1 tablespoon Copha

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat.
2. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the sifted icing sugar and cocoa, and mix well.
3. Stir in the beaten egg, and return the pan to the heat and stir until the mixture boils.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the coconut, biscuit pieces and nuts. The biscuits are generally broken into pieces about the size of a hazelnut, but some larger pieces is fine, and the pieces certainly don't have to all be the same size!
5. Spoon the mixture into a baking paper lined 18cm x 28cm (approximately 7" x 11") slice pan and press down firmly.
6. Icing the Hedgehogs: Melt the dark chocolate, milk chocolate and copha together in a microwave-safe bowl or jug in a microwave oven on a Medium setting for approximately 2 minutes; stir well, pour - and spread evenly - over the hedgehog base.
7. Chill to set.
8. Once chilled, cut into 24 slices. Or larger or smaller slices if you wish!
9. Notes: For extra flavour, add 1/4 cup of sultanas.

Reviews

[justcallmetoni]

My oven has been unreliable so when called on to prepare a dessert this no bake option greatly appealed to me. Very easy to prepare, this yield a rich ending. I found coconut tea biscuits and used those for my base layer and replaced the hazelnuts with cashews on deference to the preferences to the intended recipient. I found the cookie layer a bit too sweet and remained a little sticky even after chilling for 14 hours. I might and suggest using salted butter to tame that just a touch. The added coconut and nuts were delicious and next time I would include other dried fruits including raisins or currants.

[WiGal]

Ace ! I made a half batch and used an 8 inch X 8 inch pan. I love the idea of using broken up graham crackers-wonderful texture and taste! I subbed macadamia nuts for the hazel nuts. Love macadamia nuts! I followed **Jubes** advice and subbed in butter and a drop of coconut extract for the Copha. Thank you for sharing, bluemoon downunder. Made for Chow Hounds during ZWT5 Australia visit.

[**Jubes**]

*Reviewed during ZWT 5 Australia visit for team CHow Hounds* Great unbkaed slice/biscuits. I used some Arnotts Marie biscuits...but had to also add some Arnotts Shortbread Fingers as well (seems someone beat me to opening the packet of bickies!). Also used dessicated coconut in the recipe and to sprinkle over the choc topping. Cadburys choc used on top for extra Aussie flair. I added in the hazelnuts and the sultanas. I'm gluten-free so cant eat the slice...but my family are telling me that it is worth way more than 5 stars. They are giving 5 for taste and I'm giving 5 stars for for a super easy no-bake recipe. I used the microwave instead of the stove top for this recipe. For anyone making this recipe that cant source Copha...I suggest just using a tablespoon of butter as a good substitute. Photo also being posted. THanks bluemoon...this is a great recipe :)