Rich, fudgy and completely irresistible, old-fashioned hedgehog slice is one of Australia’s favourite no-bake slices! It features a seriously chocolatey base made with condensed milk, dark chocolate and coconut, studded with chunks of crunchy, sweet biscuits. Topped with a thick layer of creamy chocolate, it’s the perfect sweet treat!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to make – 10 minutes of prep time is all you need.
- No oven required – just melt, mix and set. Made with melted chocolate and butter, everything sets in the fridge to form the perfect no-bake slice!
- Simple ingredients – only 7 ingredients are used, and they are all basic pantry staples. It’s a great throw-together recipe when you need something quick, easy and satisfying.
- Versatile – stick to the recipe, or add your choice of nuts, Rice Bubbles, caramel, Nutella, sultanas or any add-ins you like.
- Suitable for any occasion – perfect for parties, picnics, gatherings, school fetes, bake sales or for a simple afternoon tea treat.
- Make ahead – make a batch (or two!) and keep it in the fridge or freezer for parties, guests or a sweet treat.
Ingredients you will need
** This post contains tips and instructions to achieve the best possible results. The photo above is a great guide for when you are in the supermarket, but for full ingredient quantities and methods, please scroll down to the detailed recipe card below!
- Sweet biscuits – are broken into pieces to form the base of the slice and give the slice its classic “hedgehog” appearance. In Australia, Arnott’s Marie biscuits, Arrowroot, Milk Coffee or Nice are perfect for no-bake slices. Alternatively, any type of plain, sweet tea biscuit will work. Graham crackers or Digestives can also be used.
- Butter – binds the slice and adds richness. Salted or unsalted will work, depending on preference. Be sure to use real butter, softened at room temperature for best results.
- Dark chocolate – is used in both the base and the chocolate topping. Use a dark chocolate like Cadbury Old Gold with 45% cocoa. Milk chocolate can be used for the chocolate layer if preferred, but dark (bittersweet) chocolate helps to balance the sweetness of the slice. Choose a good quality eating chocolate that you know and love, for best results.
- Coconut – adds texture and flavour to the base of the slice. Use unsweetened, fine desiccated coconut, rather than shredded coconut.
- Sweetened condensed milk – binds and adds sweetness. Use regular, full-fat sweetened condensed milk. Low-fat or lite condensed milk won’t set as firmly.
- Vanilla – enhances the chocolate flavour in the slice. Use either vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract for best results.
- Cocoa powder – as there is no baking involved, either Dutch process or regular unsweetened cocoa powder can be used. I use Dutch process cocoa powder for for a smooth and intense chocolate flavour. Sift it first, to avoid lumps.
Step by step instructions
Step 1 – Break up the biscuits;
Break the biscuits into small chunks and set them aside. They can be broken by hand or placed into a large bowl (or bag) and broken using a rolling pin. Don’t crush the biscuits too much, you want to have some chunks and texture throughout the slice.
Step 2 – Make the hedgehog base;
Place the sweetened condensed milk, dark chocolate, butter and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until the mixture is melted and completely smooth.
Add the cocoa powder, desiccated coconut and broken biscuit pieces and stir until combined.
Step 3 – Press into slice tin;
Press the hedgehog mixture into a lined, 25 x 18cm slice tin. Use the back of a metal spoon to firmly press the slice into the tin until smooth and even.
Step 4 – Melt the chocolate;
For the chocolate topping layer, place the dark chocolate pieces and butter together in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on medium 50% power for 30-second intervals, stirring in between until completely melted and smooth. Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the top of the slice and refrigerate until fully set (around 2-3 hours).
When set, cut the slice into pieces of desired size.
Full ingredient list and amounts are found in the recipe card below.
Expert tips
- Classic hedgehog slice recipes can sometimes include nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts. ⅓ cup of crushed nuts can be added, if desired. If adding extra fillings, add an additional ¼ cup of condensed milk to the slice mixture. You can also top the chocolate layer with extra coconut, chopped nuts or even some sprinkles.
- Instead of nuts, try adding ⅓ cup of Rice Bubbles, sultanas, dried fruit or your favourite chopped chocolates.
- Don’t overcook the chocolate mixture. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-second increments at medium power, stirring in between. When there are only a few small lumps of chocolate left, take it out of the microwave and continue to stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Line the slice tin with baking paper and leave the sides overhanging. The slice mixture is quite sticky before it sets and the paper helps to prevent the slice from sticking to the tin. The excess paper also helps to easily lift the slice from the tin once it has set.
- Don’t break the biscuits too much, larger chunks add texture and look pretty too! Some 1-2cm sized pieces are fine.
FAQs
Keep this slice in the fridge, wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Hedgehog slice can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, cut the set slice into individual pieces and place it into an airtight container, separating any layers with baking paper to prevent sticking. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature when you are ready to eat it.
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Easy Hedgehog Slice
Ingredients
- 250 grams Marie biscuits or Arrowroot, Nice, Milk Coffee or any other plain, sweet tea biscuit
- 100 grams butter at room temperature, cut into cubes
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 150 grams dark chocolate 45% cocoa, broken into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup desiccated coconut finely shredded
- ¼ cup cocoa powder sifted
To top
- 210 grams dark chocolate broken into small pieces
- 50 grams butter room temperature, cut into cubes
Instructions
- Line a 25 x 18cm slice tin with baking paper. Leave the paper overhanging from the sides to easily remove the slice later.
- Break the Marie biscuits into small, 1-2cm pieces by placing them in a bag or bowl and pressing them with the end of a rolling pin.
- Place the butter, condensed milk, dark chocolate pieces and vanilla into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave at medium 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Add the coconut, cocoa powder and crushed Marie biscuits to the melted chocolate mixture and stir to combine.
- Using the back of a metal spoon, very firmly press the hedgehog mixture into the prepared slice tin, until firm and flat.
For the top chocolate layer
- Place the dark chocolate pieces and butter into a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave at medium 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
- Working quickly, spread the melted chocolate mixture over the top of the slice. If desired, sprinkle some extra coconut or chopped hazelnuts over the top.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours, until set. Once firm, remove the slice from the tin and cut into pieces. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- Classic hedgehog slice recipes can sometimes include nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts. ⅓ cup of crushed nuts can be added, if desired. If adding extra fillings, add an additional ¼ cup of condensed milk to the slice mixture. You can also top the chocolate layer with extra coconut, chopped nuts or even some sprinkles.
- Instead of nuts, try adding ⅓ cup of Rice Bubbles, sultanas, dried fruit or your favourite chopped chocolates.
- Don’t overcook the chocolate mixture. Heat the mixture in the microwave in 30-second increments at medium power, stirring in between. When there are only a few small lumps of chocolate left, take it out of the microwave and continue to stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Line the slice tin with baking paper and leave the sides overhanging. The slice mixture is quite sticky before it sets and the paper helps to prevent the slice from sticking to the tin. The excess paper also helps to easily lift the slice from the tin once it has set.
- Don’t break the biscuits too much, larger chunks add texture and look pretty too! Some 1-2cm sized pieces are fine.
- Storage; Keep this slice in the fridge, wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing; Hedgehog slice can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, cut the set slice into individual pieces and place it into an airtight container, separating any layers with baking paper to prevent sticking. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature when you are ready to eat it.
- While the slice can be cut into pieces of desired size, please note that the nutrition information is based on the slice being cut into 20 pieces, with one piece being one serve. The nutritional information is an estimate only and does not take into account any additional toppings or sides served with the slice.
- This recipe is made using Australian cups and spoon measurements. Due to cup sizes varying from country to country, I advise adjusting if necessary.
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