Why this recipe works
- Whole grain digestive cookies help absorb excess moisture and prevent the dessert from becoming soggy.
- The sweetened condensed milk acts as a binder, holding the mixture of cherries, marshmallows and digestive cookies together.
It will take about half a second to look at the image above to know whether or not you are fifteen. Anyone who prefers soft– sweet desserts – and those with a bit of chewing, in addition – will continue; those whose jaws twitch at the first hit of sugar do not need to continue. Anyway, if you’re from Northern Ireland, this insanely sweet business (did I mention they’re sweet??) is a birthright.
What you see is what you get here. Fifteen digestive cookies, 15 glazed cherries, and 15 marshmallows make up this quick and easy no-bake dish.”baking“, whether you eat one in or around its birthplace, Ulster, Ireland, and collect one by one Belfast Starbucksor make one right now at (your probably Irish).
Eat Seriously / Robby Lozano
You could very well be a person who constantly craves snacks that might more accurately be called “sweets” and likes to try new things. If so, know that the chopped marshmallows in this treat provide bounce and lightness, while the crushed cookies make even a thin slice of fifteen seem meaningful. Incomplete crushing of said cookies (and all those chunks of all those cherries) gives texture to the final product, which is otherwise smooth given the pleasant stickiness of condensed milk.
The report is important here. Not only are the assorted “fifteen” easy to remember, but when combined with the 3/4 cup condensed milk, the desired texture is achieved. More condensed milk and you’ll have excessive levels of glutinousness that require a post-snack cleanse plan. Something more would be require tea for sweetening and soaking (rather than just enjoying it as it is a natural and appreciated pairing).
Finally, an even layer of desiccated coconut around the entire pre-sliced log is what makes this dessert both irresistible and undeniably fun. When portioned after cooling, each easy-to-grasp slice yields a sweet, sweet Christmas in July…any given afternoon. And wherever you are!
Editor’s note
This recipe was developed by Jasmine Smith; the brief was written by Tess Koman.
Fifteen (Northern Ireland Digestive Biscuits and Cherry Marshmallows)
The sweetened condensed milk pleasantly binds this hyper local and hyper sweet delicacy.
To safeguard
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15 digestive biscuits (7 3/4 ounces; 220 g), such as McVitie’s Wheat Digestive Biscuits
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15 candied cherries (2 3/4 ounces; 78 g), such as Luxardo Maraschino cherries, cut into wedges
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15 marshmallows (3 ounces; 88 g), cut into wedges
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3/4 cup (175 ml) sweetened condensed milk
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2/3 cup desiccated coconut (4 ounces; 113 g), divided
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Place the digestive biscuits in a zip-top bag. Using a rolling pin, pound the cookies until finely crushed (some larger pieces are fine). Transfer to a large bowl. Add cherries and marshmallows. Pour over the condensed milk and stir until well combined and the crushed cookies, cherries and marshmallows are thoroughly coated in the condensed milk.
Eat Seriously / Robby Lozano
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Layer 2 pieces of plastic wrap on a clean work surface to form an 18 x 15 inch rectangle with the long edge facing you. Sprinkle 1/3 cup desiccated coconut in a 12 x 4 inch rectangle in the center of the plastic wrap rectangle. Using a silicone spatula, scrape the cookie mixture onto the coconut. Using the plastic wrap to press and shape, carefully roll the cookie mixture into a tight 12 x 3 inch log. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup desiccated coconut over entire shaped cookie log, pressing to adhere until log is fully coated. Wrap the log tightly with plastic wrap. Wrap with another layer of plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
Eat Seriously / Robby Lozano
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Take the log out of the fridge and unwrap it. Cut the log crosswise into 15 slices. Serve.
Eat Seriously / Robby Lozano
Advance preparation and storage
A fortnight can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Store tightly wrapped, unsliced and refrigerated.
