Mum’s sisters all worked in dressmaking before they married, but Mum, just to be different, worked in a bookbinding business. Doreen was one of her friends there so I think this recipe originates from the 1940s. It’s obviously before packet mixed fruit, which is a much easier alternative now. The addition of dates and apricots would add a bit of extra flavour though.

NOUGAT SLICE

• 125g butter, melted
  
• 1 heaped cup Self Raising Flour
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• 155g castor sugar
  
• 1 cup coconut
  
• 1 cup mixed fruit (½ cup mixed fruit, some dates & dried apricots & cherries) cut finely
  
• Walnuts or almonds
  
• 1 egg, beaten
  
• Almond essence
  

Melt the butter and put aside to cool. Sift flour, salt and sugar together and put in a basin, add coconut, mixed fruit & nuts. Add beaten egg to melted butter and then mix into dry ingredients with some almond essence. Press into slice tin and bake 20 mins at 190°C. Ice when cold (you could use vanilla or chocolate icing and sprinkle with coconut, if desired).