Loaf Caramel Slice - purchased by George at Moore Wilson I suspect

Loaf Caramel Slice, might buy again.  Curated by George.  5/10  Made in Loaf's kitchen I assume. 

I must admit I was somewhat relieved that George, who brought this Caramel Slice over didn't think it was awesome.  It's not that it was bad, it just wasn't what I'd expect a boutiquely packaged slice to be.  In saying that, we have scoffed the whole lot off.   And looked for crumbs.

It had a nice enough caramel and somewhat sugary icing, but the base was a bit crumbly and perhaps too chocolately - I don't recall any coconut either.   I just expected a wee bit more.

Would buy again to take to someones place for an afternoon tea or evening treat - thanks George!

Expressoholic, Cuba St

Wouldn't buy again.  $4.50  5/10  Not sure if made on site.

This looked promising - lots of caramel, many of late not having enough and being a recent complaint.  Though, the caramel was a overpowering and not teamed up with enough chocolate.  The base had some sort of secret ingredient (cornflakes perhaps?) which also made it a bit odd - though some may argue this made it a bit 'sparkley'...   Perhaps if it was half the size and half the price it would have been ok.

RECIPE: Donna Hay with Coconut, made by Robyn!

RECIPE: Donna Hay with Coconut, made by Robyn! 8/10

This was a variation on the recipe made earlier this month by Wendy.  It contained coconut in the base, and had different chocolate on top.     While this new choc topping didn't make it easy to cut it was yum!!

Again, this is more of a 'elegant/svelt' slice than a gritty chunky one - better for a post dinner party treat than a picnic.  More good, good caramel, and the coconut that the last version had swapped out for almond meal made it yum.

Wendo - give it a go.  Recipe can be found at: http://rhid-baked.blogspot.com/2007/10/chocolate-caramel-slice.html

Brumbies, Karori Rd

Wouldn't buy again - no offence intended.  $3.30  4/10  Suspected made off site.

I have in my notes that this was 'very pedestrian' - but I have no idea what I meant by that, though I recollect the rest of the notes.  I do admit this was from about a week ago when I was in a caramel slice frenzy... 

This slice looked a bit of alright, and smelt ok, seemed to have a bit of coconut and cocoa in the base.  However, the caramel blended into the chocolate and the base, all blurred into a mouth slush.  

Not bad, about what I'd expect from a Brumbies.

I must admit I'm getting a bit sick of crap-ish tasting caramel slices - I should have known this wasn't going to be exemplary, but thought I should be fair and review it - I might have been presently surprised.  Though, since I need to a instigate a per swim/per caramel slice rule I will now demonstrate more discretion. 

Massey Uni Cafe, Wellington

Avoid like the plague.  $3.50?  1/10  Made off site.

This doesn't deserve to be called caramel slice. The base is a soft crumbly biscuit mixture and is tasteless. The appalling tasting caramel is applied in a measly quantity. Avoid.

RECIPE: Donna Hay, made by Wendo!

RECIPE: Donna Hay, made by Wendo - cost per batch: $?  7/10

I have been somewhat remiss in this posting given it was made last weekend.  I have been in two minds on posting reviews of recipes, esp. when buddies have made a batch - I have been apprehensive that my affection for my friend may soften any review - esp. those who have "the best recipe ever"! (Not the claim in this instance.)

However, this seems somewhat of a dis-service.  So... I am going to have a crack at it, noting these are reviews of the recipe, not of my friends per se, or their personal caramel slice taste.

Right, that said, I did quite like this recipe - I must admit I wasn't convinced at first, though I think this was due to the plate of cheese, stunning pinot and large dish of cannelloni I'd eaten (nothing much tastes brilliant after that).  But it was quite good.  I would stick this recipe in the 'svelte/sleek' category.  It has a nice base - though no coconut (I understand Donna Hay has two recipes, one using ground alonds, and one using coconut).   Good, good caramel.  The only area that I think could be improved would be the chocolate, trusty cooking chocolate was used, and perhaps we could have tried a block of Whittakers dark Ghana...

Overall pretty good.  I completely forgot to take a picture of this slice. I gutsed it all first - well, me, family and work buddies as there was A LOT of it.  Though there is a pic with the recipe:
http://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/322-chocolate-caramel-slice/

Coffee on the Square, Karori Road

Would certainly buy again. $4.20  7/10  Made on site.

This was pretty good - I had high expectations as I'd had this before and vaguely remembered enjoying it, though given the cafe had changed hands I wasn't super sure.  This had a really good chewy coconutty base though slightly dry.  The caramel was good and really flavoursome, but not overly sweet.  And it smelt good...

I'm thinking caramel slices tend to come in two categories - delicate and svelte, or chunky/scruffy.  This was definitely on the chunky scruffy side.

The topping was a sniff crystallised/sugary - perhaps a day or two old?  Though $4.20, it was big enough to share.

Rahzoo, Wellington

Won't buy again, sadly.  $5!  5/10  Made on site.

This looked quite promising - check out the photos, and for a fiver I figured it must be quite good (not to mention the recommendations).  But not.  There was no chocolate top, but dollops of dough (a bit like the Wishbone one).  It was a good condensed milk-ish caramel, but the base - not great.  Very hard, sugary, crystalised and falling apart.  It was so hard it bent my knife.

It's as if the makers found a good recipe years ago and have kept making it without ever trying it again.  Either that or it's been in the cabinet for a week.

Not horrible, but not worth five dollars.  Looked better than it tasted - perhaps purchase for display only?

Breadworks, Palmerston North

Would definitely buy again.  $3.50  8/10  Made on site.

 
This was a piece of oaty caramel slice, rather than true caramel slice (i.e. with a chocolate topping).  And while only a caramel slice affiliate, it was delicious.  The caramel was just right, not too gooey, not too firm, with an interesting oat/coconut/something top and a good base - a bit caramelised, but ok. Perfect proportions... yum... mouth watering just recalling it.  Go Breadworks - will certainly hunt out again.  While I didn't rate the last caramel slice affiliate on the basis that it's not truly caramel slice, I've given up that rule as so far the caramel slices I've had have been disappointing.  I won't go as far as re-naming this 'The Review of Slices that Contain Caramel', but it did seem dumb excluding the only goodies that are around.