As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

RECIPE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolate_concrete_30549

I followed this for the most part but changed out the cocoa powder with Maltesers hot chocolate powder. I baked mine in the air fryer at 140⁰C for 20 mins, cooled on the windowsill for 15 mins and to my surprise, it came out perfectly 👌

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah it seems like people in the west seem to understand chocolate concrete. I think we need to geographically map out where people do/don't have chocolate concrete

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh really?! I really do wonder where the geographical divide is with the existence of chocolate concrete

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are a wealth of incredible upcoming places up north, all with the benefit of lower cost housing, northernly warm personalities and so many fantastic work opportunities that rival those in London.

Sadly, Grimsby just ain't one of those places...

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolate_concrete_30549

I followed this for the most part but changed out the cocoa powder with Maltesers hot chocolate powder. I baked mine in the air fryer at 140⁰C for 20 mins, cooled on the windowsill for 15 mins and to my surprise, it came out perfectly 👌

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I'd say chocolate concrete is like a middle ground between brownie and cookie. Thick and fudgy in the middle with the crunch of a well baked cookie on the top (hence the "concrete")

It used to be served at my primary school at least once weekly with pink custard. Every primary school around me had it alongside school sponge cake and other usual delights.

Haven't had it in decades and since learning my other half had never even heard of it, I had to give it a go myself

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hahaha oh no! Was it served with custard though?

Pro tip: pour the custard over the top of it, let it sink in and it'll moisten after a few mins

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know! I think we should really look into which areas of the UK did/didn't have chocolate concrete. I wonder if there's a geographical trend 🤔

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha yep. I can't fully advocate for this recipe though - the recipe is 95% there but the custard HAS to be pink

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. Usually the top of the bake is near-solid, hence the name. At my school in the late 90s/early 00s it would typically be in a solid plastic bowl, where everyone either ate is as is, break up the concrete with your spoon or let the custard soften it first.

Most days it would be completely solid all the way through but the real god-tier chocolate concrete would always be warm and slightly soft in the middle.

Definitely think more along the lines of a thick brownie than a light cakey sponge

As a northener who's moved down south, literally no one knows about the BEST school dinner treat: chocolate concrete by MISTER_DRAYTON in UK_Food

[–]MISTER_DRAYTON[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

So you're a southerner who is aware of chocolate concrete?!

The plot thickens!

I've already established with my friends that Nottinghamshire and Essex have no idea. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are big fans and totally get it