Chocolate Hedgehog

If anyone can tell me where the name originates, I'll be very appreciative (and impressed). I know this slice is particular to Australia, and by association, New Zealand.

Apart from a cute name, I can tell you this slice is perfect for the chocoholic in your life. It has just enough richness for a good "hit" and is without any cloyingness. I found it a bit too rich for me, but I have zero chocolate credibility since I prefer lemon slice any day. My chocolate-loving friends are ok with this - there's more for them. Here's the recipe, which is a breeze to make.


Chocolate Hedgehog
(makes ~48 pieces)

8 oz butter
1 cup white sugar
4 tbsp cocoa
3/4 cup blanched hazelnuts, chopped slightly
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
16 ounces crushed plain biscuits* (a bit less than 2 packets of Marie biscuits)

Line a 11 x 7" rimmed baking sheet (or casserole dish) with baking paper.

Melt the butter over a gentle heat, adding the sugar, vanilla and cocoa. Cook until a smoth mixture results and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, cut 16 of the biscuits in half and crush the remaining biscuits with a rolling pin.

Whisk eggs into the cooled cocoa mixture, then stir in biscuit crumbs and chopped hazelnuts. Spoon half the mixture over the base of your tray. Top with biscuit halves, widthways in 4 lines. Spoon over the remaining mixture to cover biscuits. Refrigerate overnight or until firm then turn on to a board and cut into squares.

*although these are what you call cookies in the US, most brands of the type needed in this recipe come from overseas, and, hence will have "biscuit" on the packaging. So, if you're in the US you'll be buying a cookie in the hispanic grocery section of the supermarket, and the label will read "biscuits."
Image credit: www.taste.com.au