The recipe calls these sweet white squares of deliciousness Australian White Christmas. I can’t bring myself to call it that. White Christmas in my head is a horrible taste memory that sits with childhood cake stalls, laced with copha, bulked up with a cheap rice bubble crunch and far too much icing sugar. Copha in my books is up there with finding slugs in your spinach moments before you eat it. The Monkeys (if I can help it) will never have to endure copha.
So why would I make something that is titled ‘Australian White Christmas’ given my taste bud association with the name?
Well one, because it’s in the SBS Feast magazine (surely THEY wouldn’t use copha) and two, because all the ingredients look like they would blend quite nicely- with a few minor change ups on my part.
Let’s give it a crack.
Oh! It’s good.
Really good. The good quality white chocolate I think makes a huge difference. Don’t bother buying ‘white chocolate’ if it doesn’t have cocoa butter in it. It’s just a concoction of sugar and some sort of vegetable/animal oil something or other. Go for the good stuff, (I use Whittakers.)
The macadamias give it some texture, and the odd cherry here and there, some colour. This one is super easy to make and cut up for a gift…
Or for a little after dinner nibble with an espresso or two and some lively dining table conversation.
Sweet White Squares of Deliciousness
adapted from SBS Feast Magazine- December issue
500g good quality white chocolate
395g can of condensed milk
100g macadamia nuts
100g glace cherries
50g desiccated coconut
1 tsp vanilla
In a pot over low heat melt the chocolate combined with the condensed milk, turn off the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Spread mixture out into a greased and lined pan. Sprinkle with a little extra coconut and pop in the fridge for a couple of hours until firm. Cut into squares or logs for gifts.
YUM!! I am so making this – thanks Brydie! Merry Christmas to you and your gorgeous family x
LikeLike
It’s an easy gift Keri, but do make sure you keep some for yourself.
Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
LikeLike
Count me in – this looks and sounds sublime! Just gotta make sure I manage to get some before the hordes devour it.
LikeLike
I’ve done three batches now passionwood, it goes rather quickly.
LikeLike
Ooh, rather naughty… maybe it could be called Sweet White Squares of Naughtiness?? I am so wanting a piece right now with a cup of tea!
LikeLike
Exceptionally naughty. As only condensed milk and white chocolate can be.
LikeLike
I agree with you about copha – sylvia has had it once in my chocolate crackle experiment but I can’t see a reason to buy it again – and not for white christmas – I am quite fond of the name – and would be very very fond of this slice with both white chocolate and condensed milk – hope you and your family have a great christmas with lots of yummy food like this
LikeLike
I wonder if anyone really likes copha?? Surely it’s just endured.
LikeLike
I don’t think I even know what copha is (sorry to barge in here..) But copha aside.. there isn’t an ingredient I wouldn’t love in your recipe, so it’s one I have to make (and keep, never was good at sharing…;)
LikeLike
I think I escaped the Australian White Christmas copha ‘treats’ in my childhood – to my relief. Copha chocolate crackles and coconut ice were enough of an experience for me. This looks much, much better than anything you’d find at a school fete!
LikeLike
Chocolate crackles are bad enough Kari, again tainted by the copha!
School fetes seem to have changed a bit since my day- for the better I might add.
LikeLike
The word copha sends shivers down my spine. Does anyone know what it is actually made of? On the other hand this sounds delicious.
LikeLike
That’s why I couldn’t title it White Christmas, it would surely put too many Australian copha sufferers off.
This is what wiki has to say
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copha
(hydrogenated coconut oil- mostly made up of saturated fats)
LikeLike
Very cool.
LikeLike
Give it a go Greg.
LikeLike
I haven’t touched white christmas in years – like you my memory is indelibly stamped with the awfulness (new word?) of the stuff. Yours looks great and so pretty all packaged up. I don’t use copha and I’d never really thought about it. A bit of googling and I definately won’t be using it now!
LikeLike
Awfulness is entirely appropriate when referring to copha. Happily this is copha free!
LikeLike
Sweet, sweet white chocolate squares. I imagine this to have the sweetness and texture of fudge? What is copha? I’m just about to try and find out. The bars look lovely all packaged up – I do think you are the queen of presentation. I still get lots of positive comments from folk who receive my chocolate paper wrapped parcels.
LikeLike
It is a bit fudgey, I did wonder whether it should be compared to it, but I didn’t think it was quite soft enough. Although there is a bucket load of sugar in there, I don’t find it as rich as fudge either.
That’s great that you get positive comments from the chocolate wrappers too 🙂
(as for the copha, I love using coconut milk, cream, virgin oil- but copha… argh! Never.
LikeLike
That’s interesting, it seems copha is mainly used in Australia. Whilst coconut fat is meant to be very good for you, I don’t imagine that a hydrogenated version is. I dread to think what we put into our vegetarian hard white fat blocks here in the UK – I don’t use them.
LikeLike
These sound delicious and look elegant too
LikeLike
Thank you sawsan 🙂
LikeLike
You can tell it would be fantastic from the list of ingredients. Sugar over load anyone??
LikeLike
it does have just a little sugar in it…
LikeLike
This could be the year we have a white Christmas in Australia?! These look great, but I can’t go past the rum ball at this time of year. Happy Christmas Brydie x
LikeLike
I’d actually forgotten about rumballs this year, that was an oversight! Must remedy that. Happy Christmas to you too MM.
LikeLike
Oh my that sounds so good. The macadamia nuts would entice me alone.
LikeLike
They give it a little crunch.
LikeLike
White squares of deliciousness indeed! You had me at the white chocolate part and lack of copha..but then condensed milk? Oh yes, please!!
The tweenlets keep using up my white chocolate in brownies..soo frustrating!! Must start a secret mama stash.
LikeLike
Cheeky tweenlets!… there must always be a secret mama stash.
LikeLike
That looks incredibly delicious and perfect for the season and I love how you’ve wrapped it up for gifts.
LikeLike
Thanks HS 🙂
LikeLike
i’ve never been a fan of white christmas either because of the copha and i never made it for my children..but i did make chocolate crackles for them so i can’t take the copha moral high ground..unfortunately..:)
your version looks really good though and i’m sure the lucky recipients will love it..
LikeLike
I hope they do Jane.
I wonder who decided copha might be a nice ingredient to add anyway?
LikeLike
Mmm this looks beautiful and just the ticket for an edible gift too! Hehe speaking of copha, I still have half a bar of it in my fridge from ages ago! 😛
LikeLike
Good luck with that Lorraine 🙂
LikeLike
ohh, great last minutes gifts. Hopefully they make it out of the house before they find their way into my tummy.
LikeLike
Super duper easy last minute gift.
LikeLike
Hahaha…now I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.. 😉
Have a happy one, Brydie! All the best to you and your gorgeous men! xxx
LikeLike
You too Celia, and to your lovely men folk as well!
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of copha before.
It doesn’t sound very appetizing- like the Velveeta cheese of the white chocolate world?
Your bars look fantastic- and I, too, like the wrapped versions!
LikeLike
Apparently it’s hard to come by in the US Heidi. It’s not related to white chocolate at all. A hyrdrogenated coconut oil. Don’t worry, you are not missing out on anything.
LikeLike
Your little desserts look like they would be loved by anyone who was lucky enough to receive one as a gift.
LikeLike
Thank you Karen.
LikeLike
looks great, and the perfect edible gift! x
LikeLike
Thanks Yvette. The beat giving socks.
LikeLike
What a lovely gift idea and with pure rich ingredients. I am so happy you stopped my website so I could find yours. I am now a happy new follower. Have a happy holiday and take care. BAM
LikeLike
What a beautiful idea for chrissy presents. Must remember this one and your presentation in the wrapped cello is gorgeous. Don’t the old cake stalls have a lot to answer for. At least with you it’s tucked away in your memory bank and not being served up to your children – goodness the old copha is deadly stuff. I wonder how many people with diabetes today ate way too much copha in their childhood. Just pondering. Hope you had a lovely christmas. Mariana x
LikeLike