A Little Piece of Heaven

A few months ago, I kicked off a little discussion on Facebook about caramel squares- yes, I like to tackle life's really big issues on here, as you well know. Caramel squares are my most favourite traybake EVER and I don't think I'm being overly modest when I say that I'm quite the connoseiur, and my roomy hips certainly testify to that. Consequently, I was extremely disappointed with a CS that had been bought at a premium price from an expensive deli in BT9. We're not talking four for a quid here. It looked good behind the glass window (although, in retrospect, I didn't do a thorough enough analysis and was somewhat distracted by the host of other goodies on display). Placed lovingly in its own brown paper bag with handles, it also looked the part, and I spirited it away for a secret coffee later in the day. Imagine my disappointment, when this premium offering actually consisted of a doorstep of shortbread, its modesty scarcely covered by a SKIM of caramel, and a mere lick of chocolate. I was gutted.com. Had I lived closer to the purveyor, I would have marched back down in outrage, but a 40 mile round trip journey seemed a little excessive, even for a fanatic like myself. So I fumed about it on Facebook, even sharing a photograph, and it was gratifying to know that I was not alone in my disappointing experience.
Fast forward to yesterday, when I chanced upon The Fat Gherkin cafe in Moira, and I again succumbed to the lure of the caramel square. This time however, the kind cafe owner had put out little samples - a confident 'try before you buy' technique - and I did...several times in fact. And then I bought. And it was TO DIE FOR. My only complaint was that when I got home, unpacked the shopping, put the baby down for a nap, and prepared to scoff my treat, LoverBoy 'happened' to come in for coffee ( I swear he has a sixth sense) and  wolfed down half of it. Next time, I will buy two and eat them under the cover of darkness. I took a picture (see above) - notice the perfectly proportioned shortbread base, the generously ample caramel layer, all beautifully topped off by the creamy milk chocolate. You can keep your Fifteens, or your chocolate cornflake clusters- this, my friends, was a little piece of heaven on a wet November day. Have a delicious Wednesday, Emmaxx