I have been signed up for emails from an Australian cooking magazine, Taste, for years, and have gotten dozens of Ideas for easy and unique meals to post on this site. However, I actually started looking into their cuisine after an Australian cruise recently, where I enjoyed some of their best dishes. Apparently, Chocolate Crackles along with fairy bread are always served at children’s birthday parties, and have been for decades. I was intrigued, and picked up a couple packages of Copha (hydrogenated coconut oil only available in Australia and New Zealand), which is similar to coconut oil sold in the US. Coconut oil is the only substitute for the Copha, and works perfectly.

Incidentally, Fairy Bread is buttered white bread sprinkled with “hundreds and thousands,” which is the Australian name for sprinkles or nonpareils. The bread is usually cut into triangles and makes a colorful addition to a birthday party tray.

24 Crackles

1 1/2 cups Copha, or coconut oil (do not substitute shortening or butter – neither works)

1 cup desiccated coconut (unsweetened dried coconut flakes)

1 cup powdered sugar
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

4 cups Rice Crispies cereal (referred to as Rice Bubbles down under)

1. Line 24 regular-size muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Place the Copha or coconut oil in a large microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high until melted.
3. Stir in the desiccated (unsweetened dried) coconut.
4. Place a fine strainer over the mixture; add the powdered sugar and cocoa and shake through.
5. Mix well and fold in the cereal.
6. Using a 1/4 cup scoop, scoop the mixture into each of the lined muffin cups.
7. Refrigerate the crackles or let set at room temperature until they are fully set. Store in an airtight container.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 191 Calories from Fat 143
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 75% Protein 2% Carb. 23%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 16 g
Saturated Fat 14 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 75 mg
Total Carbohydrate 11 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 5% Calcium 0% Iron 3%