These Chocolate Crispy Cakes are based on a recipe from a Wartime recipe book that was issued by the W.V.S, and would be perfect for a VE Day Party.
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes for VE Day](https://i0.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes-for-VE-Day-3.jpg?fit=980%2C679&ssl=1)
The Perfect Recipe for a VE Day 75 Stay at Home Party
These Chocolate Crispy Cakes are based on a recipe from a Wartime recipe book that was issued by the W.V.S. In the booklet that was printed in 1941, these little cakes were called Chocolate Crisplets, and were made with just two ingredients, un-rationed chocolate spread and breakfast cereal. There are no photos, so I assume that the cereal was either Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes, as there wasn’t the range of cereals then that we have now.
I was surprised to learn that chocolate spread was un-rationed, but as the book was published in the first years of WW2, maybe it was rationed later. I have updated the recipe as part of my VE Day 75 menu planning, but I have tried to stick to ingredients that were readily available in the day, namely cereal, cocoa powder and golden syrup, with a scant amount of butter. I have also added some other variations for more modern day tastes, in the notes at the end of the recipe.
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes for VE Day](https://i2.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes-2.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
I know these are very popular now, and I also remember my mum making them for birthday parties when I was little. So, it was fascinating to see that these were also mentioned in the little wartime booklet I have. I am adding them on Lavender & Lovage today, because I think they will be a lovely addition to any VE Day 75 celebrations you may be planning, for a Stay at Home VE Day Party.
My last recipe for VE Day was VE DAY CONDENSED MILK CAKE, and I also added some menu and recipe suggestions in that post too. I have adapted the recipe today for Chocolate Crispy Cakes for VE Day as I mentioned before, but if you really want the authentic recipe, than why not make it as it was published in 1941?
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes Recipe for VE Day](https://i1.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VE-Day.jpeg?fit=817%2C1024&ssl=1)
Variations for Chocolate Crispy Cakes for VE Day
I’m sharing some modern day variations on the recipe below, as well as the original recipe too. …or one of the ingredients like sourdough starter in a sourdough recipe
- Melt 100g of milk chocolate and add 40g to 50g of rice krispies, mix well to coat and spoon into cake cases.
- Add corn flakes to the original recipe, instead of rice krispies.
- Make the recipe vegan by using a plant based spread or dairy free chocolate.
- Add mini marshmallows to the chocolate mixture.
- Add Hundreds and Thousands (sprinkles) to the cakes before they set.
- Use dark chocolate instead of mill chocolate for a more adult taste.
- Make them according to the original recipe by using a chocolate spread, such as Nutella. See orignal recipe below.
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes for VE Day](https://i1.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Original-recipe-Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Original 1941 Recipe for Chocolate Crisplets
- Melt some chocolate spread (un-rationed) in a saucepan.
- Throw in enough cereal to make a stiff mixture.
- Form into little cakes to cool and harden.
- Taken from Hailsham W.V.S. “Mixed Grill of War Time Recipes” Booklet, published 1941-1942
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes](https://i1.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes-2.jpg?fit=678%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes](https://i2.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes.jpg?fit=789%2C1024&ssl=1)
Links to Some Interesting VE Day Reads & Facts
Sandwiches, eggless sponge cake and saved-up beer… how VE Day was celebrated at the table (You will need a Daily Telegraph subscription to read this in full)
VE DAY VICTORY STREET PARTY IN LONDON, 1945
War War 2 Picture Gallery Food
![VE Day Street Party](https://i2.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VE1.jpg?fit=980%2C745&ssl=1)
I hope that you have found my post today interesting, and hopefully you will try out this simple recipe as part of any VE Day celebrations you may be having. There will be just be the two of us this 8th May, but I am going to bake some wartime recipes, and put on a little Stay at Home VE Day 75 Party for us!
PLEASE DO let me know if you make the original recipe, with just the two ingredients for these Chocolate Crispy Cakes. I’m going to try that method myself when I can get hold of some chocolate spread. I have listed some more VE Day party recipes below….have a LOVELY weekend wherever you are, Karen
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes](https://i0.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/VE-Day-Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
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More WARTIME Party Recipes:
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Step By Step Instructions
You’ll find the full and printable recipe at the end of this post.
- Melt the butter in a pan with the golden syrup, then add the cocoa powder and mix well, stirring all the time.
![Melt the butter in a pan with the golden syrup, then add the cocoa powder and mix well, stirring all the time.](https://i1.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Melt-the-butter-in-a-pan-with-the-golden-syrup-then-add-the-cocoa-powder-and-mix-well-stirring-all-the-time..jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
- Turn the heat down to the lowest temperature and add the rice krispies or cereal gradually, mixing all the time until there is no “spare” chocolate covering left and that are well coated.
![Turn the heat down to the lowest temperature and add the rice krispies or cereal gradually, mixing all the time until there is no "spare" chocolate covering left and that are well coated.](https://i2.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Melted-Chocolate.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
- Take the pan of the heat and spoon the chocolate crispy cakes into the cake cases.
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Spoon-into-cake-cases.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
- Leave to cool before eating.
![Leave to cool before eating.](https://i0.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes-for-VE-Day.jpeg?fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
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Chocolate Crispy Cakes Recipe
![Chocolate Crispy Cakes](https://i0.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Chocolate-Crispy-Cakes.jpeg?resize=720%2C720&ssl=1)
Chocolate Crispy Cakes
These Chocolate Crispy Cakes are based on a recipe from a Wartime recipe book that was issued by the W.V.S In the booklet that was printed in 1941, these little cakes were called Chocolate Crisplets, and were made with just un-rationed chocolate spread and breakfast cereal. There are no photos, so I assume that the cereal was either Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes, as there wasn't the range of cereals then that we have now. I was surprised to learn that chocolate spread was un-rationed, but as the book was published in the first years of WW2, maybe it was rationed later. I have updated the recipe as part of my VE Day 75 menu planning, but I have tried to stick to ingredients that were readily available in the day, namely cereal, cocoa powder and golden syrup, with a scant amount of butter. I have also added some other variations for more modern day tastes, in the notes at the end of the recipe.
Ingredients
- 75g butter
- 75g golden syrup
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Approximately 75g Rice Krispies or other rice cereal
- 12 x paper cake cases
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pan with the golden syrup, then add the cocoa powder and mix well, stirring all the time.
- Turn the heat down to the lowest temperature and add the rice krispies or cereal gradually, mixing all the time until there is no "spare" chocolate covering left and that are well coated.
- Take the pan of the heat and spoon the chocolate crispy cakes into the cake cases.
- Leave to cool before eating.
Notes
Alternative recipes:
1. Melt 100g of milk chocolate and add 40g to 50g of rice krispies, mix well to coat and spoon into cake cases.
2. Add corn flakes to the original recipe, instead of rice krispies.
3. Make it vegan by using a plant based spread or dairy free chocolate.
4. Make them according to the original recipe by using a chocolate spread, such as Nutella.
5. Add mini marshmallows to the chocolate mixture.
6. Add Hundreds and Thousands (sprinkles) to the cakes before they set.
7. Use dark chocolate instead of mill chocolate for a more adult taste.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Chocolate Crispy Cakes Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 358Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 64mgSodium 270mgCarbohydrates 50gFiber 0gSugar 31gProtein 3g
Nutrition information is an approximate calculation based on the ingredients listed and it can vary according to portion sizes and when different ingredients are used
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
Those recipe leaflets! Love looking through old recipe books, that’s my kind of history! Seeing how resourceful people were with their ingredients! These would go down well at any VE day street party! The Peas would definitely love making these & then promptly demolish them all! Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare
Karen Burns-Booth says
I love all of my old cookbooks and these old leaflets, they provide so much interesting and useful cooking and baking tips, that are very relevant right now. Karen
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says
These look lovely, I remember making something similar as a child, thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
Nic
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Nic, yes, these used to be a popular recipe when I was growing up too! Karen
Sylvie says
Love how easy these are to make – they look like the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with a cuppa! Cant wait to try them 🙂
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Sylvie, they are easy to make and taste fabulous too! Karen
Keira Ball says
Delicious! I love baking. Will definitely going to try it.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Keira, I hope you enjoy these if you make them! Karen