Town Bike Slice: The 5-Ingredient Chocolate Slice

If you like recipes where you basically throw everything into a tray and somehow end up with something delicious, The Town Bike Slice is absolutely your kind of baking.

This is one of those old-school Stay at Home Mum recipes that has stuck around for a reason.

Five ingredients. No mixing bowl. No electric beaters. No mucking around.

You simply layer everything into a slice tray, pour over a can of condensed milk and bake it for 20 minutes.

Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for it to cool before you start cutting pieces off.

And the name?

Pure old-school SAHM cheek. But once you see how easy this slice is to make, you’ll understand why people remember it.

Why We Still Love The Town Bike Slice

There is a time and place for fancy baking.

This is not it.

The Town Bike Slice is for when you want something sweet but cannot be bothered creaming butter, separating eggs or creating a pile of dishes that will stare at you from the sink for the rest of the evening.

You need just five ingredients, most of which are the sort of things that end up floating around in the pantry anyway.

It is also very forgiving.

No chocolate bits? Chop up a block of chocolate.

Not enough Rice Bubbles? There are other options.

Have three random half-packets of nuts taking up valuable cupboard space? Excellent. Their time has come.

The Five Ingredients You Need

That’s right. Five.

• 1 cup chocolate bits
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup mixed nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, cashews or pecans
• 1 cup Rice Bubbles
• 1 x 395g can sweetened condensed milk

And if you are already eyeing off the condensed milk with a spoon, perhaps buy two cans.

Just saying.

How to Make The Town Bike Slice

1. Get the Oven Going

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a slice tray with baking paper.

2. Start With the Chocolate

Pour the chocolate bits into the bottom of the lined tray and spread them out evenly.

No mixing.

We are layering this one.

3. Add the Coconut

Sprinkle the shredded coconut evenly over the chocolate.

4. Throw On the Nuts

Add your mixed nuts over the coconut.

Use whatever combination you like — almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans or a bit of everything.

This is a very good recipe for finally using those packets that have been sitting open in the pantry for weeks.

5. Add the Rice Bubbles

Sprinkle the Rice Bubbles evenly over the top.

At this point, it may look like you have randomly emptied your pantry into a slice tray.

That’s fine.

6. Pour Over the Condensed Milk

Now for the good bit.

Drizzle the entire 395g can of sweetened condensed milk over the top, trying to spread it across the whole tray.

That sweet, sticky condensed milk works its way through the layers as the slice bakes and helps hold everything together.

7. Bake

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

8. Leave It Alone

This is important.

Let the slice cool completely before cutting it.

It will still be sticky while it is hot, and if you attack it straight from the oven, you are much more likely to end up with a pile of delicious rubble than neat squares.

Not necessarily a tragedy.

But still.

No Chocolate Bits? Use a Block of Chocolate

This is exactly the sort of recipe where improvising works.

If you do not have chocolate bits, simply chop a block of chocolate into smaller pieces and scatter those over the base instead.

Milk chocolate works beautifully if you want it sweet and rich.

Dark chocolate is a good option if you want to take the edge off the sweetness from the condensed milk.

Or use whatever chocolate is already hiding in the cupboard.

The original Town Bike Slice has never been particularly fussy.

What Can I Use Instead of Rice Bubbles?

Rice Bubbles give the slice that lovely bit of crunch, but you can swap them if you need to.

Try:

• cornflakes
• rolled oats
• dried fruit

Just remember that each one will change the finished texture a little.

Cornflakes will keep things crunchy, while rolled oats will make the slice denser and chewier.

Personally, if you have Rice Bubbles, I would stick with them. They work.

What Nuts Can I Use?

Pretty much whatever you enjoy.

Try:

• almonds
• peanuts
• cashews
• pecans
• mixed nuts

You can use one type or a mixture.

It is also a brilliant excuse to clear out all those almost-empty nut packets taking up space in the pantry.

Can I Make The Town Bike Slice Without Nuts?

You can leave the nuts out and replace them with extra Rice Bubbles or crushed cornflakes if you want a nut-free variation.

Just remember that if you are making this for someone with a nut allergy, you will need to check the packaging on all of your ingredients for allergen and cross-contamination warnings too.

Is The Town Bike Slice Good for Lunchboxes?

It is certainly the right type of slice for lunchboxes because it is easy to cut and portion.

However, the original recipe contains mixed nuts.

If your school or childcare centre has restrictions around nuts, the standard version will not be suitable. Check your school’s allergy policy first or make the nut-free variation.

For afternoon tea at home?

Absolutely.

Put the kettle on.

How to Get Neater Squares

First rule: do not cut it while it is hot.

I know.

It smells good.

You have been staring at condensed milk and chocolate for 20 minutes.

But wait.

Once the slice has completely cooled, use a sharp knife to cut it into squares.

If it still feels particularly sticky or soft, put it in the fridge for a little while first. It will firm up and become much easier to cut.

Not that slightly wonky pieces taste any different.

How to Store The Town Bike Slice

Keep the cut slice in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

If you are stacking the pieces, putting baking paper between the layers will help stop them sticking together.

Of course, this assumes there are leftovers.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes.

The Town Bike Slice can be frozen for up to two months.

I would cut it into portions before freezing so you can grab a piece or two whenever you need them.

This is especially useful when somebody announces they need to bring something somewhere tomorrow.

Usually after the shops have closed.

Why This Recipe Is Still Worth Making

There are recipes you make because you want to spend an afternoon baking.

And there are recipes you make because you want chocolate slice.

The Town Bike Slice is definitely the second one.

It is cheap, easy, flexible and made from only five ingredients.

There is no mixer.

There is no complicated method.

There is barely even any washing up.

Layer it. Pour over the condensed milk. Bake it.

Done.

Sometimes the ridiculously simple recipes really are the best ones.