Chocolate crackles

Chocolate crackles.

Chocolate crackles (also known as Chocolate bubble cakes^[1]) are a popular children's confection in Australia and New Zealand, especially for birthday parties and at school fêtes. They are similar to the US Rice Krispies Treats. The earliest recipe found so far is from Australian Women's Weekly in December 1937.^[2]

The principal ingredients are the commercial breakfast cereal Rice Bubbles, giving it texture, and desiccated coconut, giving it a distinct flavour. The binding ingredient is hydrogenated coconut oil (such as the brand Copha), which is solid at room temperature. Since it does not require baking it is often used as an activity for young children.

Recipe

The recipe is relatively easy requiring only hydrogenated coconut oil, icing sugar, cocoa, desiccated coconut and Rice Bubbles. The hydrogenated oil is melted and combined with the dry ingredients and portions of the mixture are placed in cupcake pans to set, usually in the refrigerator. Sometimes these are lined with cupcake papers – round sheets of thin, rounded and fluted paper. The hydrogenated oil re-sets to give each cake its form without baking.

Variations include adding raisins, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, or peanut butter. Alternatives to Rice Bubbles include Corn Flakes and crispy fried noodles. Melted chocolate^[3] or non-hydrogenated coconut oil can be substituted for Hydrogenated coconut oil.

See also

• White Christmas

References

1. ^ Edmonds cookery book, 57th ed. Bluebird Foods Ltd, Auckland NZ, 2006. ISBN 0-473-05380-2
2. ^ [1].
3. ^ http://womansday.ninemsn.com.au/food/foodfeatures/993798/copha

• Information and recipe
• Jane Williams (2005-11-07). "School fetes 'pay teachers' wages'". Australian Associated Press. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17164128-29277,00.html. 
• Buy Buy Childhood, The Newcastle Herald, 5 March 2004, accessed through Australia New Zealand Reference Centre, 5 December 2005
• Kid Craft Central Chocolate Crackles recipe