Chocolate Pelargonium Slice - The French Alternative

Chocolate Pelargonium Slice- The French Alternative

Jackie French used the leaves of a peppermint pelargonium (Pelargonium tomentosum), also known as peppermint geranium, to flavour this unusual chocolate slice.

Ingredients

peppermint pelargonium leaves
185g margarine or butter
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 cups self-raising flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1 cup cream
1-2 teaspoons peppermint essence
icing sugar, for dusting

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Line a square or rectangular cake tin with peppermint pelargonium leaves.
(Note: use clean leaves and don't use any that have been sprayed with chemicals.)
3. Beat the butter (or margarine) and the brown sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Add the flour, cocoa, cream and peppermint essence.
(Tip: if making the slice without peppermint pelargonium leaves, use 2 teaspoons of peppermint essence.)
5. Carefully pour the batter into the cake tin, and bake for about 45 minutes.
6. Turn the cooked slice onto a wire rack to cool. To decorate, place some small pelargonium leaves on the slice, sift icing sugar over the top, then remove the leaves and serve.

Copyright 2001 CTC Productions