Chocolate crackles (also known as chocolate bubble cakes) are a popular children's confection in Australia and New Zealand, especially for birthday parties and at school
fêtes. The earliest recipe found so far is from ''
The Australian Women's Weekly'' in December 1937.
The principal ingredient is the commercial breakfast cereal
Rice Bubbles. The binding ingredient is
hydrogenated coconut oil (such as the brand
Copha), which is solid at room temperature. Since making chocolate crackles does not require baking it is often used as an activity for young children.
Recipe
The recipe is relatively easy requiring only vegetable shortening,
icing sugar,
cocoa, desiccated coconut and Rice Bubbles (or
Coco Pops). 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
raisin
A raisin is a Dried fruit, dried grape. Raisins are produced in many regions of the world and may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking, and brewing. In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and South Afri ...
s,
chocolate chips, mini-
marshmallow
Marshmallow (, ) is a confectionery made from sugar, water and gelatin whipped to a solid-but-soft consistency. It is used as a filling in baking or molded into shapes and coated with corn starch. This sugar confection is inspired by a medicina ...
s, or
peanut butter. Alternatives to Rice Bubbles include
Corn Flakes and crispy fried noodles. Melted chocolate
or non-hydrogenated coconut oil can be substituted for
hydrogenated coconut oil.
See also
*
Honey Joys
*
Rice Krispies Treats
*
White Christmas (food)
*
External links
Traditional recipe for Chocolate Crackles
Notes
References
*
* ''Buy Buy Childhood'', ''The Newcastle Herald'', 5 March 2004, accessed through Australia New Zealand Reference Centre, 5 December 2005
Australian confectionery
New Zealand confectionery
Australian desserts
New Zealand desserts
Australian snack foods
New Zealand snack foods
Chocolate desserts
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