Russia Slice recipe problem

Hi, when I was a kid my Mum used to buy Russian slices from our local bakery. They were made using chocolate and madeira sponge and had a moist rum laced base. Anyway searched Google and found the recipe but when I ,made it, the result was literally crumbs (although admittedly the flavour was spot on). I will post below the recipe and method in the hope that someone can steer me in the right direction, thanks

RECIPE

1) 12oz Dry chocolate cake
2) 12 oz Dry Madeira cake
3) 2oz Butter
4) I Tbsp lemon juice
5) 6-7 heaped Tsp seedless raspberry jam
6) 3 Tbsp dark rum

METHOD

1) Break both cakes in chunks in a mixing bowl
2) Rub both cakes together to produce dry crumb mixture
3) Gently melt butter
4) Place jam in mixing bowl with lemon juice
5) Pour in butter and rum
6) Mix well then put mixture in small loaf tin, refrigerate for a few hours and cut into slices

The reason behind using dry cake I think is so it soaks up the rum without turning the mixture to mush. Like I've said the flavour is spot on but serving up a bowl of crumbs to friends and family doesn't go down too well!

Hi TheFoe,
Hmmm, very interesting? I can't find a recipe straight off for this one (too many clippings shoved into too many recipe books!) but I know that I have got it somewhere, I just really wish I could find it and help you on this.

I could have sworn though however that my recipe had an egg in it to bind it?
I have also seen it made with golden syrup too, but I never made it like that.

And it used to either have an iced or a melted chocolate layer that set on top and held it together for slicing?
But I maybe wrong on that - and you have obviously eaten it without that layer or you would have tried it already.

I look forward to seeing if anyone else has a solution to this one.

Hi Suzy, no you're not wrong, the version I had from the bakery most definitely had an iced layer on top complete with latice style chocolate icing. If you were to find it I'd be really appreciative and interested to se where I'm going wrong. :-)

I will have another hunt around, but I think it maybe an impossible search, I'm afraid! I'm having work done inside the house and so all of my books and recipe clippings are safely packed away in various storage boxes! - I've got 12 boxes here and I'm not sure even which box to start rummaging through!!!

From memory, the variations were that you could do a refridgerator version like yours - or a baked one which I think must be the one that I have, because of the egg. I also remember you could have a thin pastry base if you preferred and did it have sultanas in? Hmmm, this is a recipe that could be either way!!! :o>

I think your best bet maybe back to Google - you could try making up small amounts of any different recipes until you find one that really hits the spot! I'm so sorry not to be of more help on your version, Poppet x

I seem to remember it was in a pastry case, and it definitely had icing on it. It was a bit like a large bakewell tart ( except the cake, jam etc was all mixed togther)

jeenaskitchen.blogspot.com/ russian slice...they are discussing it on there girls...x

Thanks for trying anyway, I'll probably have another look on Google, as like you say it might just pop up! :-)

Yes, seen it Pixie. But it isn't the same recipe as the one I've got because mine was baked.

ok I'll try again...x

Thanks pixie, that's where I got it from.

Did you notice though TheFoe that the jeenaskitchen recipe had less Madeira cake in than you have got listed, it says to use - 8oz Dry White Chocolate Cake (any type) and not 12oz? - Is that the problem?

There is one on food.com that has a pastry base..was this popular in the Northof England because I don't recall seeing it down south?

Yeah, it looks like a cross between refridgerated and baked. I've been looking at that one too, Pixie.
My recipe had an egg in the filling too and was baked - and so do some of the others I checked out on Google. There doesn't seem to be just one standard Russian Slice recipe, does there? :o>

The thing is though, TheFoe is trying to recreate a traybake memory from childhood and anyone of these could be it? - so I guess, at the end of the day, it all comes down to trying some different ones and then going with the taste test to see which one delivers!!! I do think that maybe just less cake might be a good idea if the flavour was spot on?

yeah and make sure the cake isn't too stale...I've just got into Doughnuts again, I am carrying out a one woman survey for the best..tokk one back in BHS, it tasted and felt like a housebrick!...Best one was in an independant bakery, he makes them himself and they shoul be illegal!!! like a cloud! *Undoes waistband and belches*

Do you know I really hate doughnuts!
No idea why? I've just always hated the taste of them!

I'll have yours then!!!

X !

Sorry, but I don't understand the strange language you're using.

No, I did follow her recipe just doctered it for the OP for some weird reason.

That's cos it's russian sam!*Wink*

Weird language of the non-doughnut eating people.

Yes it must be an alien being! LOL!

Okay Poppet - have a nice evening! - X !
I better go feed the parents,.....there's a lot of muttering and heavy sighing going on! - Hee, hee, hee!!!

I'll have a really good search tomorrow, okay? and I'll get back to you if I find it!!! If it is a baked recipe though? - do you still want me to post it? Or would you prefer to stick with your refridgerated version?

Sam!!! - DOUGHNUTS!!!
GREASY, GOOEY, FATTY - YUCKY!!!

And my parents are revolting too! (*hmmm, quick stir-fry I think - before they keel over with starvation!!!*)

Any version would be good, thanks again and enjoy your evening! :-)