Crisps On Me Butty: Hedgehog Cake

In Llangollen, Wales whilst indulging in a cream tea, I spied a sweetie called:

At:

This place is the starting point to a long boat ride over Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, or a brief canal ride drawn by horses. Read more about the tours and area in my travel blog :

I'm Ruined - Llangollen and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

My version:

First order of the day, dark chocolate (very dark) and naturally coloured and preserved dried cherries.

Hedgehog cake is a type of Tiffen cake, or chocolate fridge cake. It has slivered almonds to create the hedgie look.

Prepare a small loaf pan with cling film, lining the pan into the nooks and crannies. Make sure the cling film is generously overhanging the edges for easy removal.

Melt the following ingredients, in the microwave in a large bowl, at full power for 50 seconds. Check and go another 20 seconds, until melted, but not over done:

350 g / 10.5 oz. dark chocolate

100g / 3.5 oz. butter

150g / 5 oz. golden syrup (pure cane)

Stir until smooth, folding in the butter as you go.

Stir in:

3 oz. slivered almonds

3 oz. dried cherries

250g / 8 oz. broken pieces of shortbread (buy a good quality brand, or better yet make your own).

Well, I usually go willy nilly with the amounts, depending on my mood. This gives you a basic idea, however.

Easy peasy, pour into the lined loaf pan and refrigerate until firm and cuttable (at least a few hours). I usually spike a few more almonds into the top of the chocolate for good measure.

To serve, decant by inverting on a plate and pulling at the cling film flaps (get rid of the cling film), then cut into shards, or chunks and sprinkle with icing sugar.