These nut and sultana refrigerator bars are perfect for an afternoon or mid-morning snack. This tasty no-bake recipe is so easy to make that your children can even help you make them!
Today I'm sharing a recipe from my mother. I have no idea where she got it from. It was probably from a magazine back in the 80s or early 90s. I remember having these in the fridge at home and I would sneakily get one out whenever no-one was around. You see, we were't allowed to eat between meals and so I developed a habit as a secret eater. Please tell me I'm not the only one!
These refrigerator bars are the perfect snack at any time!
Anyway, recently when I was visiting my parents they made an appearance again. Being an adult, there was no secret eating this time. I happily snacked on them mid-morning, mid-afternoon, midnight...
What ingredients do you need for these refrigerator bars?
To make these simple nut and sultana refrigerator bars you'll need:
- Digestive biscuits - I'm sure if you're in the US and can't get these you could use Graham Crackers instead.
- Nuts - I usually use pecan nuts but you could use a different kind of nut depending on what nuts you like. Walnuts would also work really well for example. You could even miss out the nuts if you are catering for people with a nut allergy.
- Sultanas or raisins - It really does not matter which you use for these.
- Golden syrup - You could swap this for honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Butter - Salted or unsalted is fine. You could even use margarine or a spread but the hardness of butter helps them to hold together. They can be more crumbly if you use a spread instead.
- Dark chocolate - Feel free to use milk chocolate if prefer it although it will make these bars sweeter.
How do you make this refrigerator cake?
These nutty sultana refrigerator bars are really simple to make. There is no baking involved as they set in the fridge.
First, put the butter, chocolate and syrup in a bain marie (bowl of water over saucepan) and stir till they melt. Alternatively microwave them. Be careful they don't burn so microwave for about a minute to begin with and then keep stirring and microwaving for just 10-20 seconds at a time.
Crush the biscuits and then stir everything into the melted chocolate mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a square cake tin, lined with baking paper so it's easier to get the bars out.
Can you adapt these nutty sultana refrigerator bars?
There are countless ways you could adapt this recipe. How about different nuts, different dried fruit or even, as my husband would prefer, no fruit or nuts at all!
For a more decadent take on the basic recipe you could add mini marshmallows, fudge pieces or any other favourite sweets. You could also increase the amount of chocolate, which would also make them a little less crumbly. Yes, they can be quite crumbly but don't let that put you off.
How long do they keep for?
These bars will keep well in the fridge for at least a week. Just make sure they are kept in a covered container.
Can you freeze them?
Yes, you can also freeze them either before or after you cut them into squares. They should keep well for at least 6 months in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge and then store in the fridge too.
More delicious snack recipes
If you'd like more recipes for delicious easy snacks then do take a look at the recipes below:
- Chocolate chip pumpkin cereal bars
- Date and banana oaty bars
- No bake coconut and peanut butter bars
- Chocolate and banana oat bars
- Rocky road squares
Recipe
Nut and Sultana Refrigerator Bars
Ingredients
- 220 g digestive biscuits
- 55 g pecans chopped
- 85 g sultanas or raisins
- 1 tablespoon golden syrup
- 85 g butter
- 55 g dark chocolate
Instructions
- Grease an 18cm square tin and line with baking parchment.
- Put the biscuits in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
- Melt the syrup, butter and chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water.
- Stir the crushed biscuits, nuts and sultanas into the chocolate.
- Spoon the mixture into the tin. Smooth the top and put into the refrigerator to chill.
- Before serving, remove from the fridge. Leave to sit ten minutes and then remove from tin and slice into squares.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin these Nut and sultana refrigerator bars
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make these nut and sultana refrigerator bars or any of my other recipes. I love to get feedback from readers.
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Kat (The Baking Explorer)
What a delicious idea, I'll have to try these!
Corina Blum
They are good. When we visit my mum she almost always has some in the fridge that she's made for us!
Kate - gluten free alchemist
Thank goodness there's another 'secret eater' out there...... I think I am still a secret eater though...... which isn't great! Mind you, if I had some of this in my kitchen, to would make all the deceit worthwhile. x
Corina Blum
I'm so glad I'm not alone either! x
Monika Dabrowski
These look yummy and it's a great way of making digestive biscuits a tiny bit healthier (with the added nuts and raisins). Pinned!
Corina Blum
Thanks Monika! As far as refrigerator cake goes this is a fairly healthy version as I know some recipes have a lot more chocolate in too.
denise
This is a good one for the kids to make - will have to give this a try.