Chocolate Cherry Slice

I made this new slice for our August All Day Quilting and it was a big hit.  I left some at home with DH and he had eaten several pieces when I got home ...unheard of as DH isn't a big sweet tooth.  So thought I might share the recipe with you all.  I have adapted this from Recipes+ latest magazine...they have a layer of fudge, which I didn't add, due to time constraints and a sneaking suspicion that less calories would be better!

Chocolate Cherry Slice

250 g packet chocolate ripple biscuits (plain chocolate flavoured biscuits NOT chocolate coated)
100g butter, melted
2 cups desiccated coconut
100 g red glacé cherries, cut into quarters
400 g can sweetened condensed milk (I use the low fat version to make myself feel slightly healthier!)
150 g dark cooking chocolate + extra butter, approx 50 g

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced.  Grease and line a 30 x 20 cm slice pan (e.g. lamington tin) with baking paper extending over the sides.  Crush the biscuits to a fine crumb in the food processor, add melted butter, mix and press into lined tin.  The recipe says to chill for 30 minutes...I just did it for as long as the next step took.
Combine the coconut, condensed milk and cherries in a bowl, mix well.  At this point they added red food colouring (8 drops) but I didn't bother.  Spread the filling over the biscuit base and cook for 15 minutes or until the filling is firm to touch.  Allow to cool.  Melt chocolate and butter in a double saucepan or heat proof bowl in a saucepan over simmering water - don't let the bowl touch the water or it will spoil the mixture.  Once melted spread over the cooled slice, chill in fridge until set.  Cut and serve with coffee...delish!

Enjoy this sweet delight at your next quilting bee...be warned - lots of calories so best shared with friends!