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Kalter Hund
Kalter Hund: no-bake loaf of butter biscuits and chocolate
Kalter Hund, the 'cold dog', is the no-bake party cake of West German childhoods, set in a loaf tin in the fridge and sliced into stripes of crisp biscuit and dark chocolate at every 1970s birthday. Recipes from Hamburg to Bavaria differ only in the details; old ones used coconut fat and raw egg, while this version uses dark chocolate, cream and a little coconut oil, so there is nothing raw in it. A common mistake is pouring the chocolate too hot, which softens the biscuits into mush; it should be just warm. Chef's tip: line the tin with cling film overhanging the sides, then you can lift the whole loaf out and slice it with a hot knife.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 9 oz dark chocolate (50–60% cocoa)chopped
- 3 ½ oz milk chocolatechopped
- ¾ cup double cream
- 3 ½ oz coconut oil
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 ¾ oz icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 ½ oz rectangular butter biscuits
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Line a 25 cm loaf tin with cling film, leaving plenty overhanging.
3 minStep 2: Warm the ¾ cup double cream and 3 ½ oz coconut oil in a saucepan over a low heat until the oil melts and the cream steams. Take off the heat and stir in the 9 oz dark chocolate (50–60% cocoa) and 3 ½ oz milk chocolate until smooth and glossy.
5 minStep 3: Sift in the 2 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 ¾ oz icing sugar, add the 1 tsp vanilla extract and stir until smooth. Leave to cool for 5–10 minutes until just warm to the touch.
10 minStep 4: Spread 3 tablespoons of chocolate over the base of the tin and lay in a layer of 10 ½ oz rectangular butter biscuits, trimming to fit. Repeat chocolate and biscuits, finishing with chocolate; you should get 6–7 biscuit layers.
15 minStep 5: Tap the tin on the worktop to settle the chocolate, cover and chill for at least 4 hours, until firm all the way through.
5 minStep 6: Lift out with the cling film and cut into 1.5 cm slices with a knife dipped in hot water. Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kalter Hund take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of double cream?
- Whipping cream, same amount (less rich; whips softer).
- What can I use instead of cocoa powder?
- Drinking chocolate, same amount (sweeter, so cut the sugar).
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