Happy Australia Day 2013!

GUYS! HAPPY *belated by one day* AUSTRALIA DAY 😀

My dad actually sent me the perfect email to put into this post. It’s a “You know you are a ‘straya’ if/when you… quiz” – Let’s see how much aussie blood you all really have running in you!

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  1. You think “Woolloomooloo” is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
    Actually yes, I do. Especially considering I recently discovered there is a town called Ozenkadnook in Victoria which means ‘very fat kangaroo’ in Aboriginal…
  2. You’re secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
    How can you not go all gooey at kangaroos and koalas and maybe not so much emus which are actually killer with their stares 😉

  1. You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that’s twice as big as its $2 coin.
    I have grown up believing the $1 coin has issues with its lesser value so therefore, attempts to puff out its chest and expand to seem more important than the $2 coin which is secure enough in its value that it stays small and modest (but is always confused with a 5 cent coin in a wallet!)
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  2. You understand that “Wagga Wagga” can be abbreviated to “Wagga” but “Woy Woy” can’t be called “Woy”.
    Oh god, I did NOT know there was a town called ’Woy Woy’…
  3. You believe that cooked-down axlegrease makes a good breakfast spread.
    Axlegrease? Really? We are not all truckies! Seriously? Is it a secret vegemite ingredient?
  4. You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
    Hahahahahahahaha…. Sorry… absolutely politically incorrect… naah not really, I still wonder why NZ isn’t an extension of us 😛
  5. Hamburger. Beetroot. Of course.
    EWWWWW… BEETROOT! It is a rare like and definitely not in burgers!
  6. You believe, as an article of faith, that the confectionary known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
    My dad told me all about how at milk bars you used to get fresh Wagon Wheels all chunky biscuit filled with jam and marshmallow coated in chocolate. As milk bars expired, so did the wagon wheel until Arnott’s released one which IS getting smaller every year…
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  7. You still don’t get why the “Labor” in “Australian Labor Party” is not spelt with a “u”.
    Yes. Yes I do not get it. Why? What? How….?
  8. You wear ugg boots outside the house.
    Doesn’t everyone? Nothing is warmer than them!
  9. You know what it’s like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
    Um…. I won’t say a fly hasn’t been on my nose or on my lip before I scream and swat at my own face but… this is something I would rather not do as an Aussie 😛
  10. You understand that “you” has a plural and that it’s “youse”.
    “Youse start the barbie yeah?” – Nope never used it…
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  11. You know it’s not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle.
    AHMAHGAHD yes, every summer! Backfire, seatbelt fire and trying to steer the car while your hands are playing hot potato with the wheel in 48 degree weather 😉
  12. Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
    Um… I do remember going to the park and watching my dad and bro play cricket… I am not a fan of cricket *shields from oncoming tomatoes*
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  13. You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call “Anzac cookies”
    YES! ANZAC cookies are such an integral part of ANZAC day, commemorating our soldiers. Why someone would even try to sell them at a different time is beyond me!
  14. You still think of Kylie as “that girl off Neighbours”.
    Yes… yes I would. But I do not really ever think about Kylie at all :S
  15. When returning home from overseas, you expect to be brutally strip-searched by Customs – just in case you’re trying to sneak in fruit.
    More like trying to sneak in Indian desserts 😉
  16. You understand that all train timetables are works of fiction.
    Confession time. I have caught the train maybe 3 times. I am a bus girl. Once a bus girl always a bus girl!
  17. When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.
    Too young… of course too young… I have no idea… why is this question even here?! I feel so pressured… I have never been in a bar to see this… no…
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  18. You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second.
    Um… no, no choking during the first verse but yes, I am a little sheepish to admit the second verse is always an exercise of listening to the singer next to you 😉

And that is just how Aussies work 😀

Now I am going to give you a bigger celebration than just a quiz for Australia Day. An edible celebration (the best kind!)

Ok, so… I think every blogger in the history of bloggers has heard of Kevin & Amanda’s Original The Slutty Brownie. Please do not think I am being indecent, what it is, it is. The name is naughty because this… conglomeration of a dessert is far worse than naughty. Just saying… Oh and just to clarify, it was originally called the Oreo-Fudge-Brownie-Cookie something but it was shortened dramatically over time 😀

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Anyway, I decided to make my own couple of twists all over it! Some very Aussie twists 🙂
You know the Tim Tam? The chocolate biscuits with chocolate cream in the middle coated in chocolate? The icon of Australia which is much more delicious than vegemite?

Yes, you know it. Of course you know it 😀
And if you don’t. Oh how I pity you darlings!

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Instead of using Oreos, I decided to use those in the middle.
Best Australia Day decision ever 🙂

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I underbaked the brownie and cookie. Its fudgy and fudgy and fudgy and fudgy and fudgy. And soft Tim Tam melty in your mouth. Enjoy Australia Day weekend everyone. Oh and just a tip. Make these for your long weekend Monday breakfast tomorrow 🙂

Slutty Australia Day Slice
*I don’t call it Slutty Brownie because that is just ONE component ;)*

Source: Slutty Brownies

Part One: Cookie Layer (Choc Chip Uru Secret Recipe)

Ingredients:

  • 130g butter
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tbs dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup caster sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 tbs golden syrup
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 ½ cups mixture of peanut and caramel chips (I used white :P)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with baking paper
  2. Melt half the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and let it brown – when smells nutty and turns brown, immediately take off heat and let cool
  3. Place other half of butter in a bowl and beat with all sugars until pale in colour – scrape down the bowl
  4. Add in brown butter to mixture and beat until well combined
  5. Add in egg to mixture and beat until just combined
  6. Beat in vanilla essence and golden syrup. Let cool 5 minutes
  7. Sift both flours, cinnamon, salt in a large separate bowl. Stir chocolate chips through until coated and mixture is combined
  8. Add dry mixture into wet mixture and stir through until no streaks of flour remain
  9. Spread the cookie dough at the bottom of the pan, pressing down with a glass
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  10. IMG_4747Top with a layer of Tim Tams – awwww yeaaah 🙂
  11. Refrigerate while preparing the brownie batter, covered by foil

Part 2: Favourite Brownie Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 125g butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 tbs golden syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • ½ cup plain flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 2 ½ eggs
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter until starts to brown and smell a little nutty, add in sugars and stir over heat for a minute until combined then remove off heat – let cool for 10 minutes
  2. Stir in cocoa powder till mixed through
  3. One by one, beat in eggs until well combined each time. Make sure there is a gooey consistency
  4. Beat in the vanilla essence and golden syrup
  5. Stir in the flour, baking powder until a thick batter is formed
  6. Stir through the mix-ins (if using)
  7. Pour over the Tim Tams and make sure they are entirely covered
  8. Cover lightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes
  9. Remove foil and bake again for 20-25 minutes or until the skewer comes out covered in gooey crumbs for the brownie

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Note:

  • The cookie will always come out a little like fudge – to make it crisper, cook it 5 minutes separate without the Tim Tams or brownie batter and then continue with the recipe

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120 Comments

  1. Jan says:

    Hey I grew up in Ozenkadnook, not a town as such- no shops or streets, a collection of farms, loved the quizz made me smile……alot

    Like

  2. Happy belated Australia Day! I can’t relate to anything in that quiz at all but found it fun to read nonetheless. I have been fortunate enough to have Tim Tams before those and oh man are they good! I can only imagine this dessert is delicious 🙂

    Like

  3. Lisa at fLVE says:

    I am so entertained by this post. Being not an Aussie, I felt like I was reading a foreign language there, in a good way. Also, I have to try this tim tam soon. We have one of those worldmarkets here that carries all types of food from everywhere, so hopefully I will get some soon. I will let you know if I do.

    Like

  4. Chef Randall says:

    Great chocolaty recipe CCU. I need to try this one. I think koalas are adorable. As for the coins, in the USA we have a $1.00 coin that is the same size as the 25 cent quarter. Many a times the $1.00 coin is passed off as a quarter.

    Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Chef Randall
    savorthefood.wordpress.com

    Like

  5. Zoe says:

    Happy Australia Day to you!

    Being a migrant, I must admit that I don’t have much Aussie blood in me… but there is one thing for sure… I LOVE MY TIM TAMS! I reckon I should be “Aussie” enough for saying that… LOL!

    Zoe

    Like

  6. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:

    Happy belated Australia Day! My gosh, look at those beautiful and yummy LAYERS. All kinds of flavor and texture in one. All the craving will be satisfied with this. 😉

    Like

  7. grace says:

    i’ve always wished i was an australian, but alas, i was born an american. that’s not to say i can’t move there and become a citizen, right? 🙂
    these look SO tasty. i had a sampling of tim tams once and got hooked…then they disappeared from the shelves. it’s a cruel world.

    Like

  8. jlaceda says:

    I was laughing my head off while reading your post! And yes, good question! Why is the “Labor” Party in Australia spelled without a “u”???

    This is such a decadent dessert! I am all for trying it, though. However, I’m not sure where to get those Tim Tams here…

    Like

  9. Hey, it’s never too late to celebrate Australia! I can only hope I’ll have the opportunity to visit one day, but for now, enjoying Tim Tams sound like a pretty delicious alternative. Love the way you put them to work in these rich, chocolatey slices! So smart. 🙂

    Like

  10. Sophie33 says:

    I am one day late but Happy Australian Day to you & your loved ones!! I loved reading the Australian facts! 😉 Your bars look amazing, rich & wonderfully tasty too! Now, I need 2 of them! 🙂 xx

    Like

  11. Suzie says:

    Happy belated Australia Day!! I loved the quiz, too funny!! “Youse” is said here too. I personally don’t use it but, I’ve heard it…lol!! Those brownies look super rich. Holy kangaroos!!

    Like

  12. Suzie says:

    Happy belated Australia Day! I loved the quiz, too funny!! And “youse” is said here too. I don’t use it but I’ve heard it. Those brownies (etc.lol) look super rich! Holy kangaroos!!

    Like

  13. I was very impressed by your money’s size – it made sense! I love your list but had to laugh at the “youse” – that happens to be very typical of people a couple of areas here, Chicago & New Jersey. No idea why since they’re so far apart but I’d never heard that when I was in Australia. I have to say it was a little off putting waiting to de-plane & they come on board with these sprayers & just spray everyone…what are they spraying anyway? You’d think they’d warn you first.

    Happy Australia Day & let’s hear it for those slutty brownies!

    Like

  14. You are just an amazing baker! These delicious recipes have me all a-twitter looking to see if I can find Tim Tam’s! I found other Arnott’s candy bars on-line at a World Market chain that may be able to help me! I will scour their very ample imported candy aisle. I am on a quest.

    I love the Aussie “count down” and didn’t know much, I sadly admit. I do have Uggs! 🙂 I love how much we have in common, and yet how many things are uniquely yours. This was a delight to read from beginning to end! Debra

    Like

  15. navane64 says:

    Happy Australian Day. I was in Perth last May and sure did plenty of sightseeing, from the zoo to Freemantle. Loved the cute kolas I saw in the zoo.

    Another lovely and happening brownies, tempting but please only one small bite for me.

    Like

  16. Lol – I love the list of Australianisms. And I hope I didn’t dishonour the Anzac cookie with the version I just posted today! The Tim Tam is one of my all time favourite cookies – thank goodness they sell them in Canada because they are mind-blowingly delicious. This is a brilliant version of the slutty brownie. Happy Australia Day, Uru!

    Like

  17. happy Australia Day! I didn’t know the answer to a single question which only tells me that I need to get out more! 🙂 The cookie looks delicious though – so maybe that’s the part of me that is Aussie!!

    Like

  18. Alex says:

    I’m madly in love with Tim Tams. Still have about 8 boxes in a drawer (my family sent them as a Xmas gift, since they don’t sell them around here). Loved reading your Q&As. 😀

    Like

  19. I totally thought this was fudge when I saw the pictures. And then I learn it’s brownies. And I’m drooling over how epically fudgy it must be.

    And FYI, the plural of “you” is also “youse” in Brooklyn. And certain parts of New Jersey. Perhaps that’s why we get along so well. 😀

    Like

  20. What a wonderful Australia Day celebration! I certainly learned a lot. I’ve been watching a lot of tennis these past few days. Learned more from you than anyone on TV! I’m loving these indecent brownies. They will be showing up here soon.

    Like

  21. Susan says:

    I remember my Dad telling me about Australian Day when he was in the navy. His unit had helped the Australians in WWII and they had been asked to partake in the celebration. Lovely post and very amusing. Happy Australian Day and now I have to find some Tim Tams!!

    Like

  22. petit4chocolatier says:

    Happy Belated Australia Day to you my dear! Loving the brownies so much!! Love the name of them too 🙂 Too cute as always & delicious!

    Like

  23. Admittedly, the only thing I get is the whole Ugg boots thing. I live in Texas and the closest thing we have to Australia is access to Netflix, through which we could watch old Paul Hogan movies or Steve Irwin documentaries. And Ugg boots, for which I fight with my daughter over paying $200-$300 per pair. Ouch! Anyway, the bars look outstanding! I hope all is well.

    Like

  24. I loved all the Aussie facts!!!!!!

    Also OMG TIM TAMS YESSSSSSS! My bestie went to Australia and came back with Tim Tams and they are soooo yummyyyyyyy! Lovelovelove how you put them in the slutty brownies!

    Like

  25. Lol, Happy Australian Day Uru! I wondered if anyone out there might have dedicated their blog to that great day of all (great BBQ days!) Alas I’ve been working all weekend (even today!) but nonetheless, I love the idea of an ooey, gooey confection much like your own in ode to the Tim Tam too, awesome! Enjoy the long weekend!

    Like

  26. Veronica says:

    I had to laugh about your bigger $1 coin! When I was very little, I thought that a ten cent coin (dime) had less value than a five cent (nickel) coin because it’s smaller-lol. Oh and I totally say “youse guys” so maybe I have some Australian in me after all! A lot of that was lost on me. I just got a jar of Marmite which I’ve heard is something Aussie’s eat on their bread. Is it similar to this “vegemite” you speak of? It tastes like gravy and I have NO idea what to do with it! EW to putting it on bread. Maybe in gravy for my potatoes? lol As for your naughty brownies, you knocked them out of the park girlfriend. Nice! You are such a…slicer for good desserts. What, what did you think I was going to say?

    Like

  27. Acacia says:

    Wow~ It looks delicious! Happy Australia Day! Our country town celebrated Aussie Day with flash flooding and gushing rain. But hey, that’s how summer in Australia goes right?!
    A wonderful recipe, have you noticed how Tim-Tams are getting smaller too? I got hardly any questions right, but I had a lot of fun reading your answers!

    Like

  28. Sally Smith says:

    Happy Australia Day to you! I clearly have no Aussie blood in me at all! I didn’t even understand most of the questions but had great fun reading them and gaining an insight into ‘The Aussie’!

    I love these amazing gooey crunchy slutty brownies and will be passing the recipe on to my daughter who will also love them

    Have a brilliant long weekend 🙂

    Like

  29. Sally Smith says:

    Happy Australia Day to you! I clearly have no Aussie blood in me at all! I didn’t even understand most of the questions but had great fun reading them and gaining an insight into ‘The Aussie’!

    I love these amazing gooey crunchy slutty brownies and will be passing the recipe on to my daughter who will also love them

    Have a brilliant long weekend 🙂

    Like

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