I didn’t realise until recently that Fifteens are unique to Northern Ireland. I grew up making these, they are so simple but always popular. This Fifteens marshmallow roll traybake recipe can be modified to include different ingredients depending on your preference – my mother used to include chopped walnuts instead of Maltesers in hers.
The traditional way to make them is to shape the mixture into a log shape and chill until set then cut into 15 slices but I have been known to spread the mixture in a traybake tin and cut into squares – though my sons say they’re not ‘proper’ done this way! If you are doing this just sprinkle a layer of desiccated coconut in the bottom of the tray to prevent the mixture sticking and a little more over the top for decoration.
I’m old enough to remember when you used to be able to get small tins of condensed milk (they were about 170 g), which were perfect for making fifteens – marshmallow roll traybake – nowadays I use a 397 g tin of condensed milk and double the other ingredients to make ‘thirties’ as I don’t often have a use for half a tin of condensed milk. If you don’t want to make a double quantity you could make a single batch of these and use the other half a tin of condensed milk to make Snowballs.
To make these Fifteens, simply crush the digestive biscuits and place in a bowl with the chopped marshmallows, cherries and Maltesers (if using). Pour over the condensed milk and mix well until thoroughly combined.
Prepare a piece of baking paper by sprinkling it with a layer of desiccated coconut. Spread the mixture out over the coconut and roll into a log shape of even thickness. Add more coconut so that the log is not sticky, wrap up un the baking paper and chill until set then cut into slices.
Easy!
Fifteens (Marshmallow Roll Traybake)
Ingredients
- 15 digestive biscuits approx 180 g
- 15 marshmallows, cut into small pieces approximately 80 g, you can also use mini marshmallows which will save you having to cut them up
- 6 glace cherries, cut in half
- 12 Maltesers optional
- half a 397 g tin sweetened condensed milk (approx 200 g)
- desiccated coconut, for rolling
Instructions
- Prepare a large sheet of greaseproof or baking paper by dusting lightly with the coconut.
- Crush the biscuits finely and put in a mixing bowl, add the halved cherries and marshmallows (chopped into small pieces if using standard ones) then stir in the condensed milk and mix thoroughly.
- Turn the mixture out onto the prepared paper and shape into a log of approx 6cm diameter- add more desiccated coconut as required to prevent the mixture sticking to the paper. Make sure you press the mixture tightly together and have the log as smooth as possible.
- Wrap the paper around the log and chill until firm. Cut into 15 slices to serve.