Crunchies

Make sure the butter / margarine is at room temperature.

Get out a 27 centimetre square oven-safe casserole or baking tray. I have used the Guzzini casserole.

Line the casserole/baking tray with parchment or wax paper.

Grease with spraying oil & set aside.

To a mixing bowl, add in the all-purpose flour.

Thereafter, add in the desiccated coconut.

Add in the oats.

Add in the salt & cinnamon powder.

Mix well & set aside.

Place a pot or saucepan on the stove-top on medium heat & add in the butter / margarine.

Add in white & brown sugar.

Pour in the vanilla essence.

Drop in the honey or golden syrup.

Mix well.

Continue mixing on medium heat until the sugars have dissolved. If left unattended to, the sugars can caramelize & burn so keep stirring. It should transform into a golden colour.

Next, remove the pot/saucepan from the heat.

Quickly add in the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda).

Mix well.

Pour the sugar mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients (flour, oats, coconut).

Mix until everything is well incorporated. It should form a thick, clumpy mixture.

Place the mixture into the prepared casserole/baking tray.

Using the back of a spoon or a spatula, evenly press the mixture into the casserole/baking tray.

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven at 180° Celsius.

Once baked, carefully remove the Crunchies from the oven.

Allow it to cool for 2 minutes in the casserole/baking tray.

Thereafter, carefully grab the sides of the wax or parchment paper & lift it out of the casserole/baking tray.

Whilst still warm, use a sharp knife & cut into squares. I got 16 squares out of mine but you may cut them bigger or smaller, according to your preference.

Break the chocolate of your choice into smaller pieces & place into a microwave safe bowl. I have used Aero Milk Chocolate.

Place the bowl into the microwave for 30 seconds & then remove from the microwave.

Give it a mix, making sure that the spoon is completely dry or else it can seize the chocolate making it unusable. The chocolate should be partially melted.

Place it back into the microwave for another 30 seconds & then remove.

Give it a stir once again & this time it should be melted all the way through.

Using a teaspoon, simply spoon a little of the melted chocolate at a time & drizzle it over the cut Crunchies.

Plate & serve.

These Crunchies will harden & become crunchy once they are cooled – hence the name “Crunchies“.

Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.