This week I decided to make my own spin on Jaffa cakes and ended up making a Jaffa shortbread slice, a kind of mixture between a Jaffa cake and a chocolate caramel shortbread!
My Jaffa shortbread slice is made up of a delicious layer of crumbly, buttery shortbread, topped with a layer of orange jelly, and then a thick layer of plain chocolate.
Part Jaffa cake and part millionaire’s shortbread, with jelly instead of caramel, it is pretty easy to make and went down a treat with my family. I can’t blame them really, I may have nabbed a couple of slices that broke apart already….
Chocolatey goodness set off by the tart jelly and crumbly shortbread – so delicious! It’s a lovely weekend bake to make to enjoy with friends and family. The rustic look doesn’t matter too much when it is all about the flavour.
If you like making more complex bakes with different layers like caramel shortbread then this is a bit simpler than that. Fun to make and to eat!
Ingredients
For the quantities needed please refer to the recipe card further down the post.
- orange jelly packet
- leaf gelatine – to make sure the jelly is not too soft
- butter – I prefer to use unsalted
- caster sugar
- plain flour
- plain/dark chocolate
Step by step instructions
There are a few steps in this recipe, due to the layers you need to make. For the quantities of each ingredient required please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
First make up the jelly in a square baking tin. I added extra gelatine to the orange jelly pack to make sure the jelly was thick so it would stand up to being sliced. Refrigerate until set.
Next bake your shortbread layer, in a square 9 inch baking tin.
Once it has cooled, cut the jelly to size (if different size) and place the jelly on top of the shortbread. This is quite tricky, be gentle and remember it will be covered with chocolate so you won’t be able to see any breaks!
Finally, melt chocolate then pour it over the jelly and shortbread, still in the tin. Put in the fridge to set.
Cut into squares with a sharp knife once completely set.
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Recipe
Jaffa Shortbread Slice
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
- 150 g butter softened, I used unsalted
- 60 g caster sugar
- 160 g plain flour
For the jelly layer:
- 1 packet of orange jelly (Jello) made up with the directed amount of water, I used Hartleys
- 1 leaf of leaf gelatine
For the chocolate layer:
- 225 g plain chocolate
Instructions
- First make the orange jelly to give it time to set. You might want to do this the day before. Make the jelly up as directed with boiling and cold water in a jug. To give a better set, I added additional gelatine. Soften 1 leaf of leaf gelatine in cold water, squeeze it out, then melt the leaf by heating on a low heat in small bursts in the microwave. Stir vigorously and add to the jelly in the jug. Mix well then pour the jelly into a shallow baking tray lined with clingfilm to set in the fridge. Leave for a few hours until set.
- To make the shortbread layer, leave the butter out until softened or warm up gently in the microwave. Then combine the caster sugar into the butter until soft and fluffy.
- Add the flour and mix well. Press into a ball with your hands.
- Line a square pan (I used a silicone one, approx 9 inch square) with baking paper. Press the mixture into the pan with the back of your hand. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Leave it to cool completely.
- When cool, cut your jelly to size and place it on top of the shortbread layer. This is quite tricky to do and mine broke in places. As the jelly layer will be covered in chocolate it doesn't really matter, just try to move it gently.
- Break the plain chocolate into pieces and microwave in 30 second bursts on high, stirring in between, until fully melted. Allow it to cool a little then pour it on top of the jelly, spread it with the back of a spoon then put it back in the fridge to set.
- Use a hot knife to slice into pieces and serve.
MrsB says
That looks delicious – I’m going to have to try it!
helerinablogs says
Oh what a brilliant idea to use a shortbread base, I’d try this out myself.
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks X
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
What a fab idea to use a shortbread base, they sound absolutely delicious Lucy 🙂
Angela x
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Angela, we really enjoyed them
Mandy Mazliah says
These look utterly gorgeous! Shortbread is so good and I bet it’s lovely combined with the chocolate orange flavour of a Jaffa cake.
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Mandy, it was good
cupcakemumma says
Mmmm yummy not sure I’d be able to choose between my sponge and your shortcake version these look really tasty!
bakingqueen74 says
One of each would be perfect!!
Annie says
Ooo I’m loving the twist – they look delish!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks, were so tasty!
Hazel says
oh my oh my… shortbread is one of my favourite things in the world **hello biscuit week** and these.. Oh Lucy! YUM!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Hazel X
jennypaulin says
i love this take on a jaffa cake – was a great idea. mmmmm i am imagining one now with my tea! Less cake more biscuit maybe??? either way i think they sound fab and thank you for linking up too #GBBOBloggrs2016 xx
bakingqueen74 says
You’re right Jenny they aren’t a cake at all, hee hee! Brilliant idea with a cuppa. If there are any left tomorrow I might nab one and do just that.
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
I do like the sound of this.and you avoid the problem of the chocolate slipping off the jelly that other bloggers have had with the small Jaffa cakes. Win win!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Jacqui! The jelly was slipping all around but not like on the round Jaffa cakes I guess.
knattster says
that sounds yummy, and not too complicated
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks Tracy,not tricky at all!
shelllouise says
Two of my favourite things to eat are jaffa cakes and shortbread. I never thought to merge them but I will be doing now!
bakingqueen74 says
Thanks a lot, a tasty combination!