These Golden Syrup Sultana Chews are an easy, melt-and-mix slice made from butter, golden syrup, sultanas, crystallised ginger, walnuts, egg, flour and baking powder.
Mike and I were in Te Anau for a family celebration when I first tried an amazing slice called Biddy's Fruit Chews. At first glance I thought it might taste a little too retro for me but once I started eating it I couldn't stop. The cakey chewy batter is filled with delicious dried fruit and nuts. Lucky for me, Biddy herself was happy to share her recipe. Thanks Biddy! I tweaked things just a little make this Golden Syrup Sultana Chews.
If you love fruit cake, be sure to check out Barb's Traditional Christmas Cake. This is one of the most popular Christmas recipes on the website!
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Ingredient notes:
- Sultanas: The namesake ingredient! These swell a little when cooked becoming squishy and juicy.
- Golden Syrup: This helps to give the slice a caramelised flavour.
- Crystallised ginger: I know this seems a little retro, but trust me when I say the ginger balances out the flavour of the other ingredients so well!
Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.
Step by step instructions:
Preheat the oven to 150°C fan bake. Line a 17 x 27cm slice tin with baking paper. In a large saucepan, melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup over a low heat. Stir until smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
Add the sultanas, ginger and walnuts then mix to combine.
Crack in the egg and mix well. Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Fold together until combined.
Add the mixture to the prepared tin and spread to the edges. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and set in the centre.
Leave to cool in the tin before slicing into squares.
Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 4 days.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, simply leave out the walnuts or replace them with extra dried fruit or seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Golden syrup gives the slice its rich caramel flavour, but you could use honey or maple syrup if that's what you have on hand.
Storage:
Store your sultana slice in an airtight container in the pantry for up to four days. This slice can also be frozen in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost completely before eating.
Top tips:
- Swap the sultanas for dried cranberries or apricots.
- Swap the walnuts for almond or peanuts or leave out.
- Leave out the ginger if you don't like it and add extra sultanas.
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Golden Syrup Sultana Chews
An easy, melt-and-mix slice made from butter, golden syrup, sultanas, crystallised ginger, walnuts, egg, flour and baking powder.
Ingredients
- 175g butter
- 150g sugar
- 2 Tbsp golden syrup
- ½ cup sultanas
- ½ cup crystallised ginger, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups plain flour, 225g
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150°C fan bake. Line a 17 x 27cm slice tin with baking paper.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup over a low heat. Stir until smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
- Add the sultanas, ginger and walnuts then mix to combine. Crack in the egg and mix well.
- Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Fold together until combined.
- Add the mixture to the prepared tin and spread to the edges.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and set in the centre.
- Leave to cool in the tin before slicing into squares.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Swap the sultanas for dried cranberries or apricots.
- Swap the walnuts for almond or peanuts or leave out.
- Leave out the ginger if you don’t like it and add extra sultanas.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 219Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 184mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g
Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.
Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya
Gabrielle says
When I was kid these had a retro/dodgy name and used dates instead. I used to drizzle ginger crunch icing on them in squiggles, not necessary but if you like ginger pretty good!
I like the ease of sultanas and these taste just as good.
Carol says
Was it Chinese Chews (1970s) by any chance as this recipe is similar just larger amounts & different ingredients !
Carol
Andrea says
The similarity to Chinese Chews struck me too. My grandmother used to make them & passed the recipe on to us. Think it might have been a Western Star butter recipe originally but it well & truly pre-dated the 1970s - could even go back as far as the 1950s. I like the idea of using golden syrup though so will give this recipe a try.
Suzanne says
Lovely easy slice, great snack for work
VJ cooks says
I'm so pleased to hear this! Thanks for the feedback, Suzanne.
Noelene Ross says
I have just cooked this and it has turned out great. I have sampled it and it's very tasty,
VJ cooks says
I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks for the feedback, Noelene.
Vicki says
This is yummy. I swapped out the walnuts and ginger for 1 cup of sultanas and half a cup of chopped apricots. Might use a bit less salt next time and add some seeds.
Hazel says
Wow, half a cup sounds like a lot of crystallised ginger!
VJ cooks says
Feel free to reduce or omit if you prefer, Hazel!