South African Chocolate Crunchies

Indulge in the irresistible crunch of South African Chocolate Crunchies, a beloved treat that combines a buttery, golden baked base with a luxurious dark chocolate topping. Packed with rolled oats, desiccated coconut, and a hint of golden syrup, these bars strike the perfect balance between chewy and crispy textures. The chocolate layer, enriched with a touch of butter for a silky finish, adds a decadent twist to this classic recipe. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a short stint in the oven, these easy-to-make squares are perfect for a quick snack, dessert tray, or afternoon tea. Enjoy them fresh or store them in an airtight container for up to a week—if they last that long!

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 250 grams all-purpose flour
• 200 grams rolled oats
• 150 grams desiccated coconut
• 200 grams brown sugar
• 250 grams butter
• 30 milliliters golden syrup
• 5 grams baking soda
• 15 milliliters boiling water
• 200 grams dark chocolate
• 30 grams butter (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) and grease or line a 9x13-inch baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, desiccated coconut, and brown sugar. Stir thoroughly to ensure the dry ingredients are well mixed.

Step 3

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and stir in the golden syrup until fully combined.

Step 4

In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water, then stir this mixture into the melted butter and syrup. It will foam slightly—this is normal.

Step 5

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly combined.

Step 6

Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking tray using the back of a spoon or your hands.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the tray.

Step 8

While the base is cooling, melt the dark chocolate and 30 grams of butter together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method), stirring until smooth.

Step 9

Spread the melted chocolate mixture evenly over the cooled base using a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 10

Allow the chocolate topping to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator before cutting the crunchies into squares or rectangles.

Step 11

Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1315.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6696.1

Total Fat 407.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 253.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g
Cholesterol 667.1mg	0%
Sodium 3027.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 701.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 66.6g	0%
Total Sugars 331.8g
Protein 86.5g	0%

Vitamin D 54.8IU	0%
Calcium 532.8mg	0%
Iron 50.9mg	0%
Potassium 3696.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.8%

Protein: 5.1%

Carbs: 41.2%