I think I may have finally cracked it.
The slice recipe that my Aunty used to make and was famous for. Based on a recipe that no one had ever seen, except for her. I had tried so many times to replicate it, each time frustrated by failure.
Until now.
I was scrolling through an online recipe blog, searching for the perfect slice to take to my daughter’s playdate in the park that afternoon when I felt a faint glimmer of recognition. I started to wonder if maybe this was it. The secret recipe behind the slice that my Aunty presented to the hosts of every backyard barbeque, morning tea and family function she attended. The slice that everyone ate excessive quantities of. The slice that everyone asked for the recipe for, to which my Aunty would reliably reply, “Sure! Next time I see you!”
Of course, she never did.
My Aunty died just a few weeks before our wedding over 14 years ago. Even at her funeral, people talked about that slice. Did anyone know the recipe? Nope. She always said she’d give it to us the next time she saw us.
Silence.
So when I saw the picture of the slice on my shiny iphone screen last week and perused the somewhat untraditional ingredient list, my heartbeat quickened oh so slightly. It would be warm and sweet on the inside, tempered by unexpected crunchiness… and laced with just enough zest amidst the frost-like icing to make you want more without knowing why.
Not unlike my Aunty, really.
Encouraged by my discovery, I sat down earnestly and modified the recipe to make it fit more precisely with the 14 year old slice memory that had stayed surprisingly sharp in my mind. It was more difficult to make than expected. One of those recipes that is so labour intensive that your hands ache and cramp by the time you gratefully slide it into the oven. Techniques that you never see on re-runs of Masterchef. Instead, your mind floats away on imaginings of the way things were done a generation or so ago, before the obsession with simplification and speed gained momentum.
“The fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of all pleasures.” Luc De Clapiers
And I think that’s what made my Aunty’s slice so sweet. As well as explain why she never wanted anyone to have to make it for themselves.
Soon after my first batch of slice came out of the oven, I served some to my hungry children and my nephew who had joined us for afternoon tea. A sweet, satiated silence followed.
Success.
Accompanied by a sweet sense of sadness.
And long overdue solace.
The left-overs came with me to the school play date later that afternoon. Just before we were planning to leave, one of the mums asked me for the recipe for my slice, to which I replied,
“Sure! Next time I see you!”
Do you have a signature dish you’re famous for?
Ah yes, I know those recipes. I think it’s awesome that you came across your aunts recipe now and managed to replicate it and, I imagine, share a special moment with her. A family friend recently gave me a copy of a handwritten recipe my dad had given to them for his Calamari Salad…I’ve not made it yet but I’m always looking at it, reading it and remembering the way he cooked for me.
That’s exactly it Kirri… it’s the memories that are evoked when you’re making it, sharing it or just reading the recipe. Photos are just one way of remembering special people in our lives.
Sounds wonderful!!!! Mine is My Mums Pavlova. So easy, so cheap to make and EVERYONE loves it )
You’re right… everyone loves pavlova! And especially wonderful that it’s come from your mum too. x
My signature dish is chocolate brownies. I share the recipe around but no one knows that it’s from a simple kids cook book. Shhhhh!
The simplest recipes are sometimes the best. I would love to be known for making delicious chocolate brownies!
Yay!! That must have been so nice to taste it and think of her. Such a nice connection. I have recipes but I share them about. Rachel x
Thanks Rachel! It is lovely to share recipes too.
I don’t have any recipes that are worth keeping to myself. If by chance anyone ever asks for a recipe I cooked, after picking myself up of the ground from shock I will hand it over
Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses #TeamIBOT
Ha! I’ve only recently returned to baking… a lot of the time I’m a packet mix gal!
That is such a beautiful story and so gorgeously written. x
I make fabulous trifle and tiramisu but I’m best known for my vanilla rose cupcakes.
Vanilla rose cupcakes sound exquisite… what a wonderful dish to be famous for!
Oh this was so beautiful.
I’m so glad you managed to work it out.
Me too Jess. Thanks!
Awesome story! To work it out after all these years! Awesome!
Apparently my other aunty has a different version… we’ll have to have a cook off!
Loved that story
How awesome that you found that recipe and were able to recreate it. It’s no secret that I don’t cook much so if someone asked me for a recipe, I’m sure that they’d be making fun 
Thanks Tina!
What a great thing to be able to cook your aunts slice. The thing I’m good at making is a Pavlova. Everyone loves my pavlova.
You can bring pavlova to my house any day. Love it!
Ha! I love how in the end you ended up just being like your Aunty, “Sure, I’ll tell you next time!”
Love that Luc De Clapiers quote
She was a cheeky one, that’s for sure!
ooo sneaky not sharing your recipe! I don’t blame you! There are some recipes I like to keep to myself – bring out at bbqs, dinner parties etc and everyone goes WOW I want the recipe.. and I say.. uhmmm no.. now I will say SURE next time I see you.. and never mention it again
you are sneaky!! I LOVE IT!!! 
Congrats on finding a recipe that means so much to you and your family!
Thanks Yvette! Sometimes I think when people say “I want the recipe”, that they really mean “Can you make it again?” but are too polite!
how cool that you found it!! I wouldnt have a secret recipe as yet.. I make a mean white citrus mud cake and I refuse to share the recipe lol!!
Wow I’ve never heard of white citrus cake before! WANT!
What a wonderful post. I am uassuming that by slice you are referring to cake or desert! My grandma had a few of those recipes – ones that are kept in the vault of family history.
It’s through your comments that I become so aware of how many “Australianisms” I use! And yes, a slice is a dessert type of shortcake thing… something that grandma’s keep vaulted up for sure.
My “go to” recipe for bringing to family meals, pot lucks etc are my brown rice salad (always gets loads of compliments, it’s SOOOO good). Still haven’t found a sweet one yet though that’s easy and impressive! Wanna share yours??!!
Brown rice salad sounds delish! A savoury dish like that never goes astray. And no… I’m not sharing
Well done!
I have a few… but apparently the current favourite is my soft cinnamon pretzels!
Wow… now that’s a recipe I’ve never heard of. I’m intrigued!
Well done misha! She would be very proud! Now to mastering again .. Hehe xx
I love the way you tell stories, such a pleasure to read.
My signature dish is American brownies laced with Kahlua
Well done for getting those memories! The recipe I am always asked for is my mum’s jelly slice. So simple, yet so yum!
Beautiful post. And there I was thinking I was about to read a recipe. Its funny the memories that certain foods can bring back. I always have a little cry for my Nana when I make Welsh Cakes (and think she must be looking down laughing at me because I always burn them!) x
Oh, what a lovely story and how fantastic to find ‘the’ recipe. I had an aunt like that too – her special treat was the most magical biscuits. I still miss her and this made your story resonate with me. Happy slice baking!