I remember my grandmother pulling this Cherry Ripe Slice from the fridge on slow Sunday afternoons, the kitchen smelling like coconut and chocolate. It’s the kind of sweet that gathers everyone to the table, sticky fingers and all. Make a batch and you’ll have yourself a little pocket of comfort.
Why make this recipe
Because it’s simple, unfussy, and full of the kind of flavors that feel like home — chewy coconut, bright cherries, and a glossy chocolate top. It’s perfect for potlucks, school lunchboxes, or when you want to surprise someone with something made with love.
How to make Cherry Ripe Slice
Ingredients:
- 250g chocolate biscuits
- 100g butter, melted
- 395g sweetened condensed milk
- 255g desiccated coconut
- 100g glacé cherries
- 50g glacé cherries, chopped
- Pink/red food colouring (optional)
- 250g dark chocolate
- 1 tbs coconut oil
- 2 Cherry Ripe bars, chopped
Directions:
Crush biscuits and mix with melted butter. Press firmly into a lined tin. Mix condensed milk, coconut, cherries, and colouring until combined. Stir through extra cherries, then press over the base. Melt chocolate with oil, pour over the top and smooth. Sprinkle over chopped Cherry Ripe bars. Chill for 2 hours until set, then slice. Tips: Press both layers firmly for clean slices, let it sit out for 15–20 mins before cutting, use a warm knife to stop the chocolate cracking, and it freezes beautifully (great to have a stash ready!).
How to serve Cherry Ripe Slice
Slice into generous squares and serve with a steaming cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. These are wonderful on a dessert platter with a few fresh berries, or wrapped in wax paper for a thoughtful plate to share with a neighbor.
How to store Cherry Ripe Slice
Keep slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. They also freeze beautifully — wrap individual pieces in cling film and pop them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Tips to make Cherry Ripe Slice
- Press both the biscuit base and the cherry-coconut layer firmly so the slice holds together when cut.
- Let the chilled slice sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before slicing to avoid cracking the chocolate.
- Warm your knife under hot water and dry it before slicing each cut for clean edges.
- Use a good-quality dark chocolate for a deep, glossy finish; the coconut oil helps the chocolate set with a lovely sheen.
- If you like a stronger cherry hit, fold in a little extra chopped glacé cherry.
Variations (if any)
- Boozy grown-up version: stir a teaspoon or two of dark rum or cherry liqueur into the coconut mix.
- White chocolate top: swap dark chocolate for white chocolate for a sweeter finish.
- Nutty crunch: sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or macadamia nuts over the chocolate before it sets.
- Vegan alternative: use a plant-based condensed milk, dairy-free butter, and vegan chocolate for a dairy-free slice.
FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of glacé cherries?
A: Fresh cherries will add extra moisture and won’t hold together the same way — you’d need to cook them down into a jam or compote first. Glacé cherries give you that classic chew and concentrated cherry flavor.
Q: How do I get perfectly straight, tidy slices?
A: Chill the slice thoroughly, let it sit out 15–20 minutes, and use a warm, dry knife. Wipe the knife between cuts for the cleanest edges.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Absolutely. Make it a day or two ahead and keep refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze individual slices and thaw as needed.
Q: My chocolate looks dull after setting — what went wrong?
A: If the chocolate lost its shine, it could be from moisture or cooling too slowly. Stirring in the coconut oil helps, and chilling in a cool, dry fridge will keep it glossy.
Conclusion
If you’re in the mood to compare recipes or gather more tips, I love the clear steps over at the Cherry Ripe Slice recipe on Chef Not Required. And if you’re curious about making your own Cherry Ripe bars to sprinkle on top, this lovely guide at Lazy Cat Kitchen’s Cherry ripe bars is a sweet companion.
There’s something about sharing a slice like this that makes an ordinary afternoon feel like a little family celebration — and that, my friend, is the whole point. Pull up a chair.
Cherry Ripe Slice
Ingredients
Method
- Crush the chocolate biscuits and mix with the melted butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into a lined tin to form the base.
- In a bowl, mix the sweetened condensed milk, desiccated coconut, and glacé cherries, adding the coloring if using, until well combined.
- Stir through the extra chopped glacé cherries, then press the mixture over the biscuit base.
- Melt the dark chocolate with coconut oil, pour it over the filling, and smooth it out.
- Sprinkle the chopped Cherry Ripe bars on top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until set.
- Once set, slice into squares.