When you think of Cumbria and a sweet treat, you are likely to think of two things. Grasmere Gingerbread and Kendal Mint Cake. In this recipe post, we’re all about the mint.

With cooking, it’s great to follow a recipe but we also love the creativity that can come from it. Don’t like a certain ingredient? Swap it out for something that you do have and behold something new and tasty to share with your friends and family has come into your life. Something that could be passed down for generations. 

Recipes are like history when you come to think about it. Just look at Kendal Mint Cake. That creation came from mistakenly leaving glacier mints on the boil and the next morning a new creation took shape. A creation that brought Kendal to the top of Mount Everest and a company’s growth so it is now in its fourth generation. My peppermint slice recipe isn’t Kendal mint cake, but rather a chocolaty nod to the Cumbrian classic.

Mint and chocolate as a combination is in some ways a bit like cold water swimming. The chocolate is a bit like winter swimming - in the way that you hold an ever-present suspicion that you aren’t 100% sure that it is good for you but you are equally sure that you need it. And the mint is the refreshing buzz after the treat, that makes you feel fresh, energised and alive.

If you want to read more about the benefits of cold water swimming and top tips like... cake is essential! Head over to our Cold Water Tips and Advice articles.

Ingredients

For the Base

• 225 g Digestive Biscuits
• 1 tbsp Caster Sugar
• 115 g Butter or Margarine
• 3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
• 50 g Dark Chocolate

For the Filling

• 340 g Icing Sugar
• 3-4 tsp Hot Water
• 2-3 tsp Peppermint Extract
• Green Food Colouring (optional)

For the Topping

• 300 g Dark Chocolate
• Crushed Mint Aero (optional)

Method

1. Raid your cupboard and find a 28 x 18 cm tray.
2. Grease the tray up with greaseproof paper so you can free it from the tray later. 
3. In a pan, melt the butter/margarine, sugar, cocoa and chocolate.
4. Meanwhile, crush the digestive biscuits, either in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin, or blitz in a blender. This is one of those steps that you can really release any pent-up rage from the week just gone. Those biccies don’t stand a chance!
5. Add to the melted mixture and stir until combined.
6. Transfer the base mixture to your prepared tray and using a wooden spoon, press the mixture into the tray, ensuring you get right into the corners and have an even finish. Place the base into the fridge to chill for 1 hour. Pop the kettle on and have a cuppa.
7. Once the base has cooled, prepare the filling but sifting the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add 1 tsp of hot water at a time until you have a spreadable consistency; 3-4 tsp of water should be enough but add more or less as required. This is a tricky bit as too much water and you end up needing more icing sugar. It’s a tricky beast. Tread carefully!
8. Add the peppermint essence to taste, and green food colouring (the food colouring is optional, but it can be a lot of fun turning it nuclear green…mmm tasty!) to the icing and mix until well combined. Spread the icing evenly over the biscuit base and return to the fridge for another 1 hour to set. While that is chilling, get your swimming kit ready for the new dip. Need inspiration on where to go? Check out the Open Water Swimming Locations blog posts.
9. Once the filling has set, remove it from the fridge and set it to one side. Over a bain marie, or a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water melt the dark chocolate. 
10. Once fully melted, pour and evenly spread on top of the filling. Get some more rage out by smashing up some aero mint bars to sprinkle on top.
11. Allow the peppermint slice to set in the fridge for at least 1 hour but ideally overnight. Once set, cut into your desired size. 
12. If you have a super chilled-out fridge, you may need to heat up a knife to cut the slices evenly. Boil a kettle and over the sink, pour the water over the blade so it slices cleanly through the hardened chocolate.
13.  Swimming kit ready, cake cut and in the cake box, grab your hot drink and let’s go!
14. Get in some cold water!
15. Get changed super quick with the Changing Tube.
16. Enjoy your lovely peppermint slice with your swimming companions as you marvel at the scenery.