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Old Fashioned Lemon Slice Recipe

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4.3 from 9 reviews

This Old Fashioned Lemon Slice recipe features a buttery biscuit base topped with a tangy lemon filling and a creamy milk topping, finished with optional shredded coconut. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, this classic dessert requires no fancy ingredients and is chilled to set, making it an easy and refreshing treat.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 60 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings

Ingredients

Base

  • 120 grams butter
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar (110 grams)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour (or 1 1/2 cups plain/all-purpose flour + 3 teaspoons baking powder)
  • Zest from one lemon

Lemon Filling

  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice (approximate juice from 2 lemons)
  • 3 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for blending with cornflour)

Cream Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups full cream milk
  • 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
  • 1 tablespoon milk (for blending with cornflour)
  • 20 grams butter (cut into cubes)
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base: Grease a slice tin and line with baking paper, leaving paper overhanging on the sides to help with removal later. Preheat the oven to moderate heat (180°C/355°F, fan-forced).
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In a bowl, cream together 120 grams of butter and 1/2 cup (110 grams) caster sugar until smooth and fluffy.
  3. Add egg: Beat in 1 egg for a minute or two until fully incorporated.
  4. Add flour and zest: Sift 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour and fold in along with the zest from one lemon until just combined.
  5. Press base into tin: Press the mixture evenly into the prepared tin. If the mixture is sticky, flour your hands to help. Use the back of a metal spoon and the base of a small glass jar to smooth out the surface evenly.
  6. Bake base: Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and allow to cool completely in the tin.
  7. Make lemon filling: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup caster sugar, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  8. Thicken filling: Mix 3 tablespoons cornflour with 2 tablespoons water to form a smooth paste, then add to the boiling lemon mixture. Continue to boil rapidly, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until thickened.
  9. Cool and spread filling: Allow the lemon filling to cool to lukewarm, then spread evenly over the cooled biscuit base. Place in the fridge to chill while preparing the cream topping.
  10. Prepare cream topping: Heat 1 1/2 cups full cream milk in a saucepan until bubbles form around the edges.
  11. Thicken cream: Blend 2 tablespoons cornflour with 1 tablespoon milk to a smooth paste and whisk into the hot milk. Cook and stir continuously over heat until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
  12. Add butter and sugar: Stir in 20 grams cubed butter and 1/2 cup icing sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. Allow to cool completely.
  13. Whisk and spread cream topping: Whisk the cooled cream mixture until smooth and spread evenly over the lemon filling layer.
  14. Add coconut (optional): Sprinkle 2 tablespoons shredded coconut over the top if desired.
  15. Chill slice: Refrigerate the slice for at least a few hours, preferably 4 hours or more, until fully set.
  16. Serve: Remove the slice from the tin using the overhanging paper and cut into 24 squares to serve.

Notes

  • Use self-raising flour or create your own by adding 3 teaspoons baking powder to plain/all-purpose flour.
  • Flouring your hands helps to press down sticky dough smoothly.
  • Ensure the lemon filling boils rapidly during thickening for proper set.
  • The cream topping must be allowed to cool completely before spreading to prevent mixing with the lemon layer.
  • Chilling the slice for several hours or overnight improves flavor and texture.
  • Shredded coconut on top is optional but adds a nice texture and flavor contrast.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Western

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/old-fashioned-lemon-slice-recipe/