If you have read Hansel and Gretel, then most likely you would remember the old witch's house of made sugar and spice and everything nice. It was a house with walls dripping honey, gumdrop roof, sugar-coated window panes and candies for door knobs.
Now imagine an over-the-top architectural dessert—a buttered bread box, drizzled with honey, holding piles of sweet toast cubes and seasonal fruits, topped with ice-cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, nuts, cookies and candy. Unlike the house in the fairy tale, the delicious bread box holding a slice of heaven is a reality in most bakeries, tea shops and casual restaurants in Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore and is gradually making its way into Asian neighbourhoods in the US and Canada. Known as Shibuya honey toast, the Japanese dessert is believed to have originated in the Shibuya district in Tokyo, Japan, and hence the name.
Though this sweet wonder is yet to join the league of global desserts that have flooded Indian cafes and restaurants, you could still indulge in it at home. Do not be deterred by its whimsical looks. This extravagant dessert is made of easily available ingredients and choice of toppings, put together in a simple recipe.
To start with, you would need half a loaf of white flat top milk bread. Use a knife to cut a square out of the centre. Be careful of not cutting the loaf all the way through. While removing the soft centre of the bread, leave at least half an inch border on all four sides and at the bottom crust. Remove the soft cube, so that you are left with a crusty box. Then cut the soft bread into small, bite-sized cubes. Brush the sides of the cubes and the inside of the crusty box with melted butter and honey. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (360 degrees Fahrenheit). Line a baking tray with a baking paper and place the buttered bread cubes and the box on it. Bake it for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Take it out of the oven and let it cool. Brush the inside of the bread box with sweetened condensed milk. The box is ready to receive sweet treats.
Fill the box with alternate layers of bread cubes and cut fruits. Top with ice-cream, whipped cream, chopped or sliced fruits, chocolate chips, crushed cookies. Drizzle with the final tablespoon of honey or chocolate syrup and serve immediately with forks and steak knives.
By now you would know that this is not a dessert to be had alone. Ask your loved ones join you in bringing down the big box of sinful indulgence—one bite at a time.
While the basics of the Shibuya honey toast recipe remain same, bread coating and topping could be of your choice, The video below shows the making of a basic Shibuya honey toast with minimum ingredients. You could improvise as you go ahead.
