Does “strawberry jam crumble slice” have the same effect on you as it does me? I’m talking that little-red-sandals, long-frilly-socks, lazy-after-school-days, warm nostalgic glow. You know the one.
Sophie Hansen is the queen of conjuring up that glow. She is hands-down my favourite cookbook author for this and many reasons. I’ve talked about Sophie here and here and here (and many other places), and I’ll continue to shout about her wonderful recipes, comfy writing and general loveliness.
Here’s a recipe for her strawberry jam crumble slice from her brand new book What Can I Bring? for you to try for yourself. All of Sophie’s cookbooks are a must, but this one is already a favourite. It answers the perennial “what can I bring?” question we all have when invited pretty much anywhere.
Here’s Sophie in her introduction:
“We all want to contribute, be helpful, and bring something to the table. But what? I have a wall of cookbooks and a phone full of saved recipes, but when the reply pings back, ‘a salad would be great’ or ‘maybe something sweet’, my mind goes blank.
It’s a bit to do with too much choice, a bit to do with wanting to bring something really good and different, and a bit to do with general decision overwhelm.
So, what should we bring? We want to do ourselves (and said cookbook collections) proud, and bring something that people will be excited to eat and that is easy to transport, bring together at the last minute and share with those we love.
It’s a tough brief. Or, rather, was a tough brief, because I’ve just spent a year working it out for all of us, and the answers are here in this book. What Can I Bring? is an instant, easy and delicious guide to what to bring for and to any occasion.”
What a great concept for a cookbook, right? And, as you’d expect from the warmth in Sophie’s writing, the recipes she has developed are friendly for all kinds of cooks. The book is filled with the kind of food we want to share with our family, friends and neighbours.
This meltingly-good jam crumble slice is the perfect introduction to both What Can I Bring? and the art of making food to bring to others. We all need more of that in our lives and Sophie’s book is full of inspirational ideas to get us moving.
Strawberry jam crumble slice
From What Can I Bring? Sophie Hansen
Melt the butter, mix everything together and you’re done! This one couldn’t be easier, but the key thing is to let it cool completely in the fridge before slicing or it will fall apart. Swap the jam with marmalade if you prefer.
Takes 10 mins
Bakes 1 hour 5 mins
Makes approx. 20 small squares
- 175 g (6 oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- A pinch of salt
- 1 cup (100 g) rolled oats
- ½ cup (45 g) desiccated coconut
- 180 g (6 ½ oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 cup (320 g) strawberry jam, or jam of your choice
Start by browning the butter. Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and melt, stirring as you go. Continue cooking until it begins to brown, about 5–6 minutes, then pour into a bowl or jug and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F) and grease and line a 20 cm (8 inch) square slice tin.
Combine the cooled brown butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, oats, coconut and flour in a bowl. Mix together with your hands until you have a crumbly dough. Press half of this mixture into the base of your lined tin. Spread this with the jam and crumble the remaining dry mixture over it.
Bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before chilling in the fridge. Once well chilled, slice into bars. If you try to slice this while still warm it will crumble and collapse. It will still be tasty, but not so much in ‘bar’ form.
Travel advice
Once fully cooled, transport these bars in a tin or airtight container.
Images and text from What Can I Bring? By Sophie Hansen, photography by Sophie Hansen. Murdoch Books RRP $49.99.