Recipe for hedgehog slices | Cooking with Nana Ling

Hedgehog Slice is a no-bake chocolate treat we’ve loved in Australia for generations.

I tested various recipes, consulted my mother (who made this disc in country bakeries for years) and refined this to come up with a reliable hedgehog disc recipe that delivers this winning combination of chocolate, biscuit and nut in a pretty little square.

What is Hedgehog Slice?

Hedgehog Slice is a chocolate slice with a distinctive light and dark pattern through the slice, created from the combination of chocolate, plain biscuits and nuts.

Its mix of textures, fudge chocolate combined with crunchy biscuits and nuts makes it extra addicting and more-ish.

Hedgehog Slice is usually covered in chocolate, and coconut or nuts are sometimes sprinkled on top of the chocolate.

Personally, I love the contrast between the smooth chocolate icing and the mosaic-like look of the slice, so I didn’t sprinkle anything on top of the chocolate icing here.

The disc appears to have originated in Australia, although its exact provenance is unclear.

It has been around since at least 1937, and that year a recipe appeared in an Australian newspaper.

It shares similarities with the English Tiffin recipe (on which the Queen’s favorite chocolate chip cookie cake is based) and Italian Chocolate Salami (on which my mother’s Choc Cherry Log is based).

Why is it called the Hedgehog Slice?

The biscuit and coarsely chopped nut spikes prominent throughout the disc are believed to have inspired the name – they resemble the spikes of a hedgehog.

Hmm, I think it’s a bit of a jump. But I really can’t think of any other more logical explanation of how this piece got its name.

And no matter what, the name stuck. And the name is as distinctive as the look of Chocolate Hedgehog Slice.

The recipe for hedgehog slices

This traditional hedgehog slice recipe is based on the old-fashioned versions of the recipe that not Use condensed milk.

Yes, this is a hedgehog slice without condensed milk.

I did a lot of research and testing to come up with my own version of the recipe.

I also prefer the taste of the slice when made with eggs and butter. My mother also confirmed that while bakeries she worked at used premix, it required the addition of margarine or butter instead of condensed milk.

Like most recipes for this piece, it’s a no-bake recipe – but you cook the mixture (which includes the eggs) on the stovetop.

My version of this popular recipe is most closely based on one recipe I found in a community cookbook from a rural New South Wales town and another I found in an Australian newspaper from 1937.

Ingredients for hedgehog cuts

For hedgehog slices without jaws you need:

• Marie Cookies (or other simple, sweet cookies)
• butter
• powdered sugar (fine sugar)
• walnuts
• egg
• vanilla extract
• cocoa
• grated coconut.

To glaze this piece, which I highly recommend, you will also need:

• Chocolate
• some vegetable oil.

You can find the exact amounts of ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make chocolate hedgehog slices

Preparation

Start by preparing the disk shape. It should be about 28 x 18 xm.

Grease the mold and line it with parchment paper, leaving excess on the sides to lift the disc out after it has hardened.

Next, Measure out your ingredients and then Crush half the biscuits in a food processor or food processor to achieve a fine breadcrumb consistency.

Place the crushed biscuits in a large mixing bowl.

Break the other half of the biscuits into small pieces with your hands. Aim for pieces no larger than the size of a postage stamp.

Place broken biscuit pieces in mixing bowl.

Melt

Place the sugar and butter in a medium saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the butter melts.

Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat as soon as the mixture boils.

Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes.

Next, add the walnuts, vanilla, coconut, and cocoa to the saucepan and stir. Add the egg and whisk quickly until combined.

Return the saucepan to low-medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes.

Mix

Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into the mixing bowl with the crushed biscuits.

Stir well until the mixture is well blended.

Pour the mixture into a slicing dish and press evenly into the dish with the back of a dessert spoon.

Ice

Place the chocolate and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20 seconds, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and incorporated into the oil.

Pour the chocolate over the top of the disc.

Spread chocolate around the edges of the mold and place in the fridge for at least a couple of hours.

Once hardened, remove the disc from the mold and cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Old Fashioned Hedgehog Slice: Variations and Substitutions

One of the wonderful things about this recipe is that you can find so many versions to suit your preferences.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• hedgehog disk without coconut: Omit the coconut and add a few extra nuts
• Mix things up Chocolate or ginger biscuits instead of using the traditional plain sweet biscuits like Marie or Arrowroot
• Do it nut free: Omit nuts from the recipe altogether, or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead
• top it with White chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate
• Add some fun 100s and 1000s sprinkled over it
• Peppermint slice: add some Peppermint Essence instead of vanilla.

Frequently asked questions about recipes

Q. Is this the best recipe for hedgehog slices?

I did a lot of recipe research and testing to find a great hedgehog slice recipe. I think it’s the best out there and if you do too please add a rating and a comment below.

Q. How long does Hedgehog Slice keep in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should keep for up to 5 days.

Q. Can Hedgehog Slice be frozen?

Yes. Wrap it up tightly and freeze it for up to a couple of months.

Q. Do you have other old-fashioned slice recipes?

A lot!

People who like this slice recipe often also like Weetbix Marshmallow Slice, Chinese Chews, Peanut Caramel Slice, Vanilla Slice, Caramel Slice, and Weetbix Slice.

Q. What are other popular chocolate recipes in the Cooking with Nana Ling collection?

Nice that you asked!

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Trifle, Rocky Road, Choc Coconut Slice, and Texas Sheet Cake are all great recipes that will satisfy your chocolate cravings.