I have been missing New Zealand a lot lately. Usually I try to go there once a year – for some reason I always find a reason to go! It such an emotional subject for me sometimes. I really do miss the easiness of the people. The bus driver greeting you in the morning which I found so awkward in the beginning. There is something so light about NZ that it makes me sad not to be there anymore. It is my second home and will always be. But of course you tend to always remember the good things never the struggles (which were definitely there!). But especially in Germany when people get so grumpy with each other I realize how much I have adapted to that friendly and almost never judgmental way of looking at things. So sometimes when I feel a bit overwhelmed I get into the kitchen and treat myself with a NZ cake …happened in shape of this Tropical Coconut Slice with Passionfruit Topping.
New Zealand Love
The first house in NZ that I stayed in had a massive passionfruit tree. Before coming to NZ I didn’t even know what that was! I remember my flatmate walking into the house with his hands full of fruits. So he chopped one in half and handed me a spoon! That was the day I absolutely fell in love with passionfruit. You know why it’s called PASSIONfruit? I know exactly why! Since that day I was mesmerized by everything containing passionfruit. Have you ever tried passionfruit curd? Holy moly. When you go to NZ don’t forget to get a good big glass of that! I don’t think any kind of fruit can offer a similar flavor explosion for your taste buds. It reminds me of wonderful times in a country I love. If you step into a kiwi bakery (and believe me, I set my food into many of them) they usually have their standard kiwi slices such as ginger slice, brownie slice and if you are really lucky you will spot a passionfruit slice. Don’t even think about getting something else – get it and treat yourself!
There is no chance of getting a passionfruit slice over here in Germany so the smart housewife (haha) knows what to do! So I tried to figure out how to make a vegan version of that buttery kiwi treat. I used creamed coconut which I usually buy in Asian stores. Its pure coconut, no sugar or additives. It’s like a hard block of soap and you can store it in the pantry for quite a long time. It’s perfect for this slice as it adds wonderful flavors to your Tropical Coconut Slice. You simply melt it in a double boiler and it hardens quickly in the fridge – so it is perfect for bars and chocolates.
Base
- 12 dates (pre-soaked in water)
- 3tbsp coconut milk
- 1 tsp ground vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 50g toasted desiccated coconut
Add the dates coconut milk, vanilla , salt to your food processor and process until you a get a dough like texture. Toast the coconut carefully in a pan. Make sure you work on a low heat level and keep stirring as the coconut can burn pretty quickly. Toast the coconut until slightly golden. Finally add it to the mixture and blend again. Line a brownie pan with baking paper (very important otherwise you won’t get the slice out of the pan). Now press the dough evenly into the pan and transfer to the freezer while you prepare the coconut layer for the Tropical Coconut Slice.
Coconut Layer
- 200g creamed coconut
- 200ml coconut milk (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp cashew butter
- 1 tsp ground vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp agave syrup
- 1 tsp stevia (optional)
- 3 passionfuits
Melt the creamed coconut in a double boiler until creamy and smooth. Add the coconut milk, cashew butter, vanilla, salt and keep stirring. Finally add the stevia and agave syrup. Remove your brownie pan from the freezer and pour in the coconut layer. Return to the freezer for at least 4 hours to set. Once your Tropical Coconut Slice with Passionfruit Topping has set, scoop out the inside of 3 passionsfruits and spread over the slice. Cut and enjoy!
For more New Zealand inspired healthy recipes, check out my Raw Vegan TimTam’s and my Coffee Crunch Bars!