I can’t overstate the love that I have for Ireland. The people, the dramatic landscapes, the green, green greenness of every single plant. To say that I love Ireland would simply not do it justice. I visited Ireland in 2010 because I had a cousin there (and because I had always wanted an excuse to go) and it was indescribably lush.
And those gorgeous Irish accents, don’t even get me started!
I totally understand why green is associated with St Patrick’s Day, because I had never seen so many shades of green in my life! Which is why I went full cliche with this choc-mint slice and made it a vibrant shade of green. It pained me slightly because I’m so fond of pastel hues, but I’m super happy with the result, so I’m glad I powered through!
Do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day? Maybe you like things a little less hulk-coloured? If that’s the case, check out my Guinness Cake, Baileys Bundt or Baileys Buttercream Biscuits.
Base
- 1 3/4 cups plain flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 200g butter, melted
- 1/4 cup coconut
Mint filling
- 3 tbsp milk
- 160g butter
- 3 1/2 cups icing sugar
- 4-5 tsp peppermint essence
- 1/2 tsp green food colouring
Chocolate topping
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 275g dark chocolate
Start with your filling. Put the milk and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over a medium heat until melted. Remove from the heat and sift in the icing sugar. Return to the heat for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to simmer slightly. Make sure you’re mixing continuously so that the mixture doesn’t catch on the bottom. Pour this mixture into a bowl and pop into the fridge to cool for 30 minutes. While the filling cools, make a start on your base.
Preheat oven to 180°C fan and grease a 20cm fluted tart tin with a removable bottom.
Sift together your flour, cocoa and icing sugar into a large bowl. Mix in your melted butter and your coconut until it’s well combined. The mixture should be in large clumps, rather than a giant ball – don’t worry, you’ll flatten them out later. Scoop your mixture into your greased pan and press down with your fists (or a spatula) until you have a smooth, even base. Pop into the oven for 15-18 minutes.
Remove from the oven when the top of the base looks dry – don’t leave it any longer than the 18 minutes, you don’t want it drying out. Plus, it’s actually better when it’s a little underdone. Set it to one side until it is cool enough that you can touch it comfortably.
Remove your green filling from the fridge, pour it out onto the base and smooth it out with a spatula. You shouldn’t need to help it fill out the sides too much, it will spread by itself. Return to the the fridge for another half hour.
While the slice is chilling in the fridge, melt your chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and scoop the coconut oil into it – the heat in the chocolate should melt the coconut oil. Mix until you’ve got a lovely, glossy mixture. Set to one side to cool for 15 minutes.
Remove your base from the fridge and pour the chocolate mixture over the top. If you’ve got any chocolate left over, reserve for drizzling over the edges before serving. Return to the fridge for at least 2.5 hours.
(If you choose to drizzle the extra chocolate over the edges, remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before serving, put the chocolate mixture in a snap lock bag and snip off a small section of the corner and pipe onto each flute indentation, making little wave movements around the circumference of the slice and then return to the fridge.)
Allow the slice to rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Want to know the trick to stopping your chocolate from cracking when you cut it?
Take an extra sharp, thin knife and point the tip into the centre of the slice, then place your hand on the top of the blade and push down gently. Repeat with each slice to get perfectly straight slices without cracking the chocolate.
Are you making this dish of a dessert? Tag me
on Instagram and use #bakingwithgab so I can see your bright green creations!
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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Yum! What a fun and festive treat! x
Thanks, gorgeous one! Same to you too 😊
Wow, these look absolutely gorgeous! I like the green. 😀 I’ve never been to Ireland (even though I live relatively close compared to you!), but I’d love to go some day. 🙂
Oh thanks, lovely one! You are quite close, I’d definitely recommend it!! Although I think you’ve got quite beautiful surroundings as well 😊
Hi there, the coconut that is in the base, is it coconut oil? Desicated Coconut?
Hi Elle, it’s desiccated coconut, thanks for asking 🙂 let me know how you go making it!
Thank you BakingWithGab, that was a speedy reply. I sure will, can’t wait to make it.
Hi there, is the coconut in the base desicated coconut or coconut oil? 🙂