Karori New World, Karori Rd

Karori New World, Karori Rd.  Will not ever buy again.  1/10  $2.04

Worst caramel slice ever.

More like a bad raspberry slice masquerading as a chocolate eclair.

Most bizarre example of odd pricing I've ever seen.   Aren't you supposed to make it a weird number under the dollar..?

Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade

Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade, Prob won't buy again.  5/10  Price??

This was a wee while back.. but the caramel and choc was good.  The base was a bit disappointing - too thick and a bit crumbly - perhaps a few days old?  I wonder if this is an example of the rumoured 'Millionaire's Slice'... The base did seem to err on the shortbready side.

Now that I'm racking up a few I think I'd give this a miss next time.

New World, Wellington Railway Station

New World, Wellington Railway Station, 5/10 $4.95? Might buy again

Bought this for a team morning tea at work.  Team thought it was pretty average, but after having quite a slices recently, I didn't think it wasn't as bad as they though thought. It was a quite chocolatey base, with somewhat tasteless caramel, and the doughy topping.  However, it was a good texture, not falling apart, or all crumbly which was a nice change.

Of all the caramel slices with doughy toppings, this was the best.  I think it was ok because it wasn't too heavy.  On closer inspection I did note it was made the day before and had an expiry date of about a month a way.  I wonder if that has quite a large bearing on the quality of the texture. 

Anyway, not too bad, fine for a morning tea - except for my discerning bunch. 

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.

Pak'n'Save, Petone

Probably wouldn't buy again.  $1.88  4/10 Made off site.

I assumed 'Slice Caramello' is the same as caramel slice as per the label - perhaps a upmarket name to balance out the thrifty packaging.
 
Not too bad, esp. for $1.88.  I found the base a bit sweet and a bit bland, but ok - no coconut which I'm discovering I quite like in a caramel slice base - just a wee bit.  The caramel was ok enough and a adequate chocolate top.

I say I wouldn't buy again, but this is probably more because I'd just come from trying new jeans on, than it being particularly offensive.  I can see why this would get bought each day as part of someone's lunch, though personally, I'd rather save the calories and get into those skinny jeans...  Mike - it's all yours!

Muffin Break, Queengate, Lower Hutt

Would NOT buy again.  1/10  $3.80  Made off site

A doughy base that tasted a bit like sour milk.  The caramel and topping had a similar aftertaste.  I actually spat this out.  Avoid like the plague, or give to people you don't like (esp. if they have good manners and will feel they have to eat the whole thing in front of you).

$3.80, gimme a break.

Fidels, Wellington - Ginger Caramel Slice

Would buy again.  $4?  Not rated as not strictly caramel slice.  Think it was made on site.

I was amping for Fidels caramel slice, but when I got there they only had ginger caramel slice.  So... no rating as it isn't strictly 'caramel slice'.  However, it had delicious caramel (perhaps the condensed milk type), and the ginger topping went with it pretty well. Yum - I was happily surprised.  Can't wait to taste it with a proper chocolate lid.

Mt Cook Cafe, Wellington

Probably wouldn't buy again 4/10 $3? Suspect not made on site.

Bland. Given this was not at a mail centre, I'd hope for better.

New Zealand Post - Highbrook Mail Centre

Would buy again. 5/10. $2 Made off site

I wasn't sure about this one from it's appearance, but was surprisingly nice - modest and unpretentious. A coconutty base with a slightly too firm caramel and chocolate icing top (not my preferred top). It tasted way better than it looked and didn't fall apart. For $2, not bad for a mail centre. Will buy again with my punnet of chips.

Wishbone, Wellington

Might buy it again - on the run and not as a present.  
6/10  $3.80 Made off-site.

This caramel slice looked a bit manky in the packaging, it was falling part a bit.  I also wasn't that convinced about the 'chocolate chip' topping.

However, it actually tasted quite good.  It was more biscuity than slicey and was pretty crumbly, so took some effort to get into my mouth without making a mess (about 10% wastage).  It could have done with a sniff more caramel as it seemed what was there was just doing a poor job of holding the top and bottom together.  In saying that, it wasn't too sweet and more caramel might muck up the balance.

A nice enough slice for a nice enough price - perfect for when you're hungry and want to fill a growly tummy - not so good for a flashy morning tea.  Points on for taste, off for presentation.

Grindz, 1st Ave, Tauranga

Wouldn't get again: 4/10   $4   Made on site

This caramel slice looked pretty promising in the cabinet but deteriorated as it arrived on the table - the condensation on the icing not an ideal start, not promising.

A too thin malt-biscuit base, a hard, sugary choc icing top (not the ganache type either) meant the tasty caramel filling was a bit lost.  Overall, too sweet to really enjoy the whole thing.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too bad, but I'd rather pay $3 for 1/2 the size, than eat it all and feel a bit ill.

I was a bit surprised and disappointed as the rest of the food and coffee here is good.