Coconut Rough Slice is a simple, nostalgic treat that brings together the rich sweetness of condensed milk with the texture of coconut and a buttery base. It’s the kind of slice that comes together easily with everyday pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butter.
This recipe works beautifully because it balances sweet and chewy with a lightly crisp base, creating a slice that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing. Whether for lunchboxes or a quick homemade treat, it’s one you’ll come back to.
Originally published June 9, 2020. Updated May 6, 2026.
Where did this coconut rough slice recipe come from?
If you love coconut this one is for you! I have recently been going through my old recipe books, I have one that I used to record recipes in when I was younger that my Mum or Aunty made, and I thought I would start sharing those as they are all such good ones!
Why is this coconut rough slice a classic worth making again?
Recipes that are tried and tested are always the best. This one is a classic, I am certain it is not an original as everyone seemed to make this back in the day, but nevertheless one that should definitely be recorded and shared for many more years.
What makes this coconut rough slice so moreish?
Coconut Rough is a basic chocolate coconut slice base, with a simple soft coconut condensed milk icing. The combination is so lovely and super moreish! Using all pantry baking basics this one should definitely be on your must try list.
How did I first start collecting recipes like this one?
I spent lots of time at my Aunties farm when I was younger and used to love watching her bake, she made it always seem so effortless it was definitely there that my interest in recording recipes begun. I can also tell I was trying out a thing with how I wrote the letter “a” but I digress…..
Why is this coconut rough slice so nostalgic to make?
The feedback I receive most often is that I am sharing recipes people recall from their childhoods and those really are the best sort of memories. The tastes and smells you remember are really quite special.
If things don’t turn out quite as expected, my common baking mistakes and how to fix them guide can be a really helpful place to start.
Do I need to cream the butter and sugar for this slice?
The original recipe calls for creaming the butter and sugar together, I found that I could skip that step. Instead I have used melted butter to make this in a similar way I make many of my slices.
You can of course cream the butter and sugar, this often helps slices to rise more. If you have a food mixer this takes only 4 minutes, to cream sugar and butter by hand takes more like 20 minutes!
How do I adjust the icing thickness for coconut rough slice?
The icing is so lovely and simple, I have amended mine ever so slightly as I like to add a dash of vanilla to most things but otherwise mostly faithful to the original. Depending on the size of the pan you use will determine how thick the slice, and therefore icing, is.
Other slice recipes you might like to try
If you love the look of this Coconut Rough Slice then check out these other easy classic slice recipes.
- Chocolate Weetbix Slice
- Chocolate Cornflake Slice
- Easy Chocolate Coconut Slice
- Grandma’s Chocolate Squares
Coconut Rough Slice
Coconut Rough Slice is an easy, reliable slice made with simple pantry ingredients, delivering a sweet, chewy texture that’s perfect for everyday baking and sharing.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 Cup Plain White Flour, 150 grams
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar, 105 grams
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder, 12 grams
- 1/2 Cup Desiccated Coconut, 45 grams
- 135 grams Butter, Melted
Icing
- 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut, 90 grams
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder, 12 grams
- 1 Cup Icing Sugar, 150 grams
- 25 grams Butter, Melted
- 1/2 Tin Condensed Milk, 195 mls
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla, 2.5 mls
- 1 Tablespoon Boiling Water, 15 mls (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C Bake
- Prepare a slice tin (23 x 23 cm) with baking paper on base and sides and set aside
- In a medium bowl add the flour, baking powder, sugar, cocoa powder and coconut and mix well
- Melt the butter and pour it into the bowl and stir to combine
- Spoon this mixture into the prepared slice tin and press it into the tin evenly
- Bake for 15 minutes until slightly firm, remove from the oven and allow to cool down and firm up before icing
- !Icing
- In a medium bowl add the coconut, cocoa, icing sugar and mix well
- Add to this the melted butter, condensed milk, vanilla and stir well. If the icing looks very soft add the boiling water to this a little at a time.
- Spread this evenly over the cooled slice using a hot knife
- Allow to set in the refrigerator and slice with a sharp knife into squares. Store in an airtight container.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 346Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 11gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 22mgSodium 171mgCarbohydrates 50gFiber 3gSugar 33gProtein 3g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I really hope you love this Coconut Rough Slice as much as we do. It’s such a simple, sweet treat to have on hand, and one I know I’ll be making again and again.
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
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Happy baking,
Anna x
Jean Muckle says
SO good, I think the SC milk in icing tops it off!! will definitely make again. xx
Bronwyn McLay says
I have made this slice often but several times the icing comes away from the base when I cut it. Why is that happening?
Kim says
Just devine! Icing is a bit sloppy..more icing sugar?
Kuia says
Does this slice freeze well.
justamumnz says
Yes it will.
Kay Reilly says
Can this slice be put in the freezer.
justamumnz says
Yes
Maureen says
Recipe was delicious, but I couldn’t get the topping to set properly even in the fridge, not sure what I did wrong.
Chris says
What type of coconut Desiccated or shredded please
justamumnz says
Desiccated
Darlene says
what is icing sugar?
justamumnz says
Powdered confectioners sugar
Diane Rychkova says
My mum made this for years, she is now 88 years old. I now make it but we call it Chocolate Rough, it has always been a family favourite.