A chewy Chocolate Slice that’s so easy to make – even the kids can help! Studded with chocolate chips and topped with a no-mixer fudgy cocoa powder frosting, this classic slice recipe will be a hit at your next party.
Quick Look Perfect Chocolate Slice
- ⏱ Prep time: 30 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 25 minutes
- ⏳ Total time: 55 minutes
- 🍪 Serving: 16 bars
- 🍂 Flavour profile: Soft and chewy bars with a simple chocolate frosting.
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy
- ❤️ Why you will love it: So quick to throw together but serves a crowd. Great for kids’ birthdays and school bake sales.
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I’m calling it. This is the Perfect Chocolate Slice 💜. Chewy, chocolatey and topped with a fudgy cocoa frosting. It’s so easy to make and you only need a handful of ingredients – all of which you probably have in your pantry right now.
I think a classic Chocolate Slice is one of the most underrated treats on the planet. There is just something about that perfectly chewy chocolate centre paired with a thick cocoa-laden frosting.
Growing up in Australia, Chocolate Slice is a childhood party favourite, alongside Honey Joys, Chocolate Crackles and Fairy Bread.
It’s easy. It’s simple. It’s quick. But it tastes SO SO good ❤️ And if you love this one, you might like to try my Chocolate Coconut Slice next.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe will become a family favourite because it’s so quick to make – even the kids can help!
- Simple ingredients: My perfect Chocolate Slice recipe uses only regular pantry ingredients and you can decorate it however you like.
- Full of chocolate: Studded with chocolate chips and filled with cocoa powder, it’s sure to cure any chocolate craving.
- Keeps well for days: My Chocolate Slice keeps well in an airtight container for days.
Omg this is the best chocolate slice ever. My go to recipe.
– Ang
Recipe testing
So what’s the secret to the perfect Chocolate Slice? For me, it’s all about the texture.
Similar to a cookie dough, the slice is made with butter, two different types of sugar, vanilla, egg, flour and cocoa powder. For extra texture, I also add a handful of chocolate chips. I actually first published this recipe in 2018. I recently tested this recipe again and made a couple of changes.
A little less sugar, a little more flour and a little baking powder for lift. But I didn’t change a thing about that beautiful frosting.
Instead of a rich Chocolate Buttercream, the frosting is made with cocoa powder – so it’s sweet without being too sweet – and it pairs perfectly with the slice.
Ingredients
If you’ve tried any of my recipes before, you will know that I love to create easy baking recipes that everyone can make – think Chocolate Chip Cookies, Jam Drops, Basic Butter Cake and more.
So I always love to create a recipe that uses regular ingredients that aren’t hard to find. And this Chocolate Slice is right up there as one of my favourite easy recipes.
Here are the key ingredients you will need, including any substitutions you can make. But you can find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.
- Caster sugar AND brown sugar: I love to use both sugars in this recipe. Brown sugar adds moisture while caster sugar adds sweetness and crispness. If you don’t have access to caster sugar, you can use granulated sugar instead. Also if you run out of one type of sugar, you can use all caster sugar or all brown sugar if you need.
- Cocoa powder: This recipe uses cocoa powder both in the slice and the frosting. You can use either natural cocoa powder or Dutch processed cocoa powder.
- Baking powder: I like to add a little baking powder to this slice recipe for a little bit of lift. But keep in mind the slice is not a cake and will come out flat – more like a cookie or biscuit. That’s fine! If you don’t have baking powder, you could use self-raising flour instead.
- Icing sugar: Icing sugar, sometimes called powdered sugar or confectioners sugar if what you will need to make this frosting. It’s a very fine sugar that dissolved easily. It cannot really be substituted.
How to make Chocolate Slice
This Chocolate Slice is so easy to make. Here are the step-by-step photos showing how to make each step. The full method and instructions can be found below in the free printable recipe card.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add butter, brown sugar and caster sugar. Mix on medium speed until creamy and combined.
Step 2: Add vanilla and egg. Mix again on medium speed just until combined.
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Step 3: Add plain flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt and chocolate chips.
Step 4: Mix briefly on low speed or by hand until combined. Mixture will be thick.
Step 5: Transfer chocolate batter into prepared tin and spread it out into one even layer.
Step 6: Bake chocolate slice for 22-25 minutes or until it’s no longer wet or sticky. Leave it to cool completely.
Step 7: In a large mixing bowl, add icing sugar, cocoa powder and butter.
Step 8: Add 1 tablespoon boiling water and stir until thick and smooth. Add an extra tablespoon of water if it’s too thick.
Step 9: Spread the frosting into one even layer on top of the cooled chocolate slice.
Step 10: Scatter sprinkles all over the top of the chocolate frosting.
Storage and make-ahead tips
Storage: Once you have frosted the slice, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. I recommend bringing it back to room temperature before serving.
Make-ahead: This slice won’t freeze very well due to the soft, fudgy frosting. You can freeze it without the frosting and ice it fresh. You can definitely make the slice a few days in advance though as it keeps well.
Jess’s Tips for the perfect Chocolate Slice
- Try not to over-bake the slice. I prefer to slightly underbake my Chocolate Slice to make it nice and chewy in the middle.
- Once you make the frosting, quickly frost the slice and then let it sit for a few minutes so it can set. This will make it easier to slice.
- This Chocolate Slice keeps well for 3-4 days and tastes even better the next day!
Chocolate slice faqs
If you added too much flour and/or cocoa powder, your slice could come out a little dry. Over-baking will also make your slice dry and crispy. I prefer to under-bake mine – and always measure your dry ingredients using a kitchen scale.
Yes! You can double this recipe and bake it in a 9 by 13-inch baking pan for a larger chocolate slice.
I love to decorate mine with sprinkles, hundreds and thousands or chocolate chips. You can really decorate it however you like.
A brownie is thicker (taller) with a soft texture due to the high content of butter, melted chocolate and eggs. Chocolate Slice is closer to the texture of a soft baked cookie bar. You will love it. If you are looking for a great brownie recipe, try my Big Batch Brownies.
More slice recipes we love
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Let’s Bake
Perfect Chocolate Slice recipe
An easy baked Chocolate Slice with a creamy chocolate frosting.
Ingredients
Chocolate slice
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 90 grams (1/2 cup) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 140 grams (1 cup) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 20 grams (1/4 cup) cocoa powder
- 80 grams (1/2 cup) chocolate chips
Chocolate frosting
- 190 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) icing sugar or powdered sugar, sifted
- 20 grams (1/4 cup) cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tablespoon butter, very soft
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- Sprinkles, to decorate, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch square pan with baking or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter, caster sugar and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until creamy and combined.
- Add the vanilla and egg. Beat again on medium speed until combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Beat on low speed or stir by hand until combined. Don’t worry if it looks dry at first. It should be thick and chocolate-y.
- Transfer the chocolate batter to your prepared tin and press down firmly to form one even layer.
- Bake for approximately 22-25 minutes or until it’s firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, add the icing sugar, cocoa powder and butter. Add 1 tablespoon boiling water and stir to combine.
- If the frosting is too thick, add other tablespoon of boiling water. Transfer the chocolate frosting onto the slice and gently smooth over the cooled chocolate slice.
- Scatter over the sprinkles. Leave slice for 15 minutes to set, then carefully cut into squares.
Notes
Cocoa powder: This recipe uses cocoa powder both in the slice and the frosting. You can use either natural cocoa powder or Dutch processed cocoa powder.
Storage: Once you have frosted the slice, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. I recommend bringing it back to room temperature before serving.
Recipe update: I first published this slice recipe in 2018. I have since retested it and made a few changes. I’ve lowered the sugar content, increased the flour and added a touch of baking powder. You will love it! But if you loved the old recipe, follow above but add 100 grams (1/2 cup) caster sugar, 105 grams (3/4 cup) plain flour and omit the baking powder.
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 slice Calories: 205 Sugar: 23.2 g Sodium: 8.1 mg Fat: 8.7 g Carbohydrates: 32 g Protein: 2.2 g Cholesterol: 29 mg
Hi, I’m Jess, the creator of Sweetest Menu and the author of Something Sweet. A self-taught baker and published recipe writer who can’t stop making easy and delicious baking recipes.
Julie says
A question from a non-Aussie – how does chocolate slice differ from a chocolate brownie?
Jessica Holmes says
I love this question Julie! It’s funny the things you take for granted. You are right that it looks a bit like a brownie, but it’s actually more reminiscent of a chocolate cookie bar. You will love it!
Patricia O'Brien says
Hi Jessica
This recipe looks delicious.it says to use a 8 inch square pan, in the comments you said you doubled the recipe and used a 9/13 baking tray, would the baking time be different, and just as delicious using the bigger try thanks for the recipe greetings from Dublin Patricia ❤️❤️
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Patricia, I didn’t find the baking time needed too much increasing – maybe just an extra 5 minutes? I hope you enjoy this one!
Hannah says
Would this frosting work in or on a chocolate sandwich cake? I’m looking for an alternative to buttercream or ganache.
Jessica Holmes says
Yes!
Hannah says
It’s the icing that really makes this so special 💙💙💙
Jessica Holmes says
I agree!! It’s magic!
Chris says
Where can I find the recipe for the chocolate slice with the 100’s and 1000’s on top?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Chris, this is the one! I just added some sprinkles that I had on hand. And I doubled it and baked it in a 9 by 13-inch pan. I hope you enjoy it!
Pam Pamela says
I was wondering if 1 to 1 gluten flour would work.
Thanks
Pam Doheny
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Pam, I haven’t tried this recipe with a gluten free flour but I think it could be worth a go. I sometimes find when baking with gf flours that I need to add a touch more (maybe a tablespoon or two) to balance the liquids. Let us know how you go if you try it!
Jules says
Can this be made ahead & frozen?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Jules, yes it can!
Adam says
10/10 I made this when the mrs was at work, this recipe is a banger we both loved it,the icing is amazing 👏
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love hearing that Adam!
Kerrin says
This is so good, I used really good chocolate and melted it. I replaced the icing with ganache made with the chocolate and good cream.
Jessica Holmes says
That sounds amazing Kerrin!
I Scholfield says
Lovely fudgy dream cake, made this three tim s now and it’s loved by everyone who,s tried it, it’s a real treat, it’s dreamy.
Jessica Holmes says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Ang says
Omg this is the best chocolate slice ever. My go to recipe.
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love that Ang!
Swan says
My kids absolutely love this!
Jessica Holmes says
Yes! Love hearing that!