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Home » Baking » Cakes, traybakes, & fridge bakes

Vegan Irish Fifteens [Refrigerator Bake]

Published: Jun 15, 2022 · Modified: Apr 22, 2024 by Jacq · This post may contain affiliate links ·Leave a Comment

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Fifteens are a traditional Northern Irish refrigerator bake that are ideal for a tea time treat. You will only need a few ingredients - vegan marshmallows, digestive biscuits, candied cherries, vegan condensed milk, and desiccated coconut. Once the ingredients are quickly mixed together it is chilled within the refrigerator and the result is a similar to a rocky road minus the chocolate! The flavours are light, fresh, not too sweet but irresistibly moreish. Our vegan fifteens recipe can be easily prepared for gluten-free diets, and if you're not a fan of candied cherries these can be replaced with chocolate buttons, dried fruits, or your favourite sweet or candy.

A close up of fifteens on a cake tier, featured image.

A Fifteen is a traditional Northern Irish refrigerator bake and it is called a fifteen because it is prepared with 15 digestives, 15 marshmallows, and 15 glace or candied cherries!

Jump to:
  • Origin of Fifteens
  • Vegan Fifteens
  • How To Prepare
  • Recipe Notes
  • FAQ'S
  • More vegan no-bake recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Origin of Fifteens

My two youngest kids [one now in their late teens and the other in their mid-twenties!] were born in Northern Ireland, and we stayed in Coleraine for about 7 years. During our stay, I tried my first fifteen in a wee local cafe and was instantly a fan! We were vegetarian back then, but now that we are plant-based, we all wanted to adapt the original recipe into a vegan teatime treat.

Fifteens are basically a mixture of 15 digestive biscuits, 15 marshmallows, 15 glacé/candied cherries, condensed milk, and desiccated coconut. No baking is required as the sweet mixture is chilled in a log shape until firm and then sliced into 15 pieces.

The result is similar to a rocky road refrigerator bake but with no chocolate. However, some variations of fifteens do include sweets/candy such as chocolate Maltesers, which replace the glacé cherries. For St. Patrick's Day, the red candied cherries are often replaced with green candied cherries for an even more patriotic sweet treat!

Fifteens are less well known outside Northern Ireland or the Ulster region [which includes some areas of Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland or the South].

Although Starbucks in Northern Ireland has got in on the act due to popular demand and started to sell fifteens, although they are square-shaped rather than the traditional more circular oval shape.

White cake plate with fifteens, second plate of fifteens to side, red teapot to side and cup with cup images beside teapot, red and white check background.

Not a fan of candied or glacé cherries? You can replace these with chocolate buttons, dried fruits, or your favourite sweet or candy. Likewise the marshmallows can be switched out with vegan alternative to maltesers or similar. Also for gluten-free fifteens you can use gluten-free digestives and gluten-free marshmallows.

Vegan Fifteens

It is really easy to prepare vegan fifteens as the main ingredients just need to be replaced with vegan versions. Vegan marshmallows are now quite easy to find in local supermarkets or online retailers, and many popular brands of digestive biscuits, including supermarket own brands, are suitable for vegan diets.

The popular biscuit brand McVitie's has veganized their plain digestive biscuits by removing skimmed milk from the recipe. However, do check the ingredients on the packets of biscuits before purchasing, as recipes are prone to change from time to time.

If you would like to prepare gluten-free fifteens, then choose a gluten-free digestive biscuit. I have linked to a gluten-free variety within the recipe below that can be found on Amazon, UK. However, you could probably find the same brand in your local health food store, shop, or supermarket for cheaper.

As for the condensed milk, there are vegan condensed milk options available, and these can be found in many supermarkets. The one I used was Nestlé Carnation vegan condensed milk, simply because this was what was available, as I am limited in what ingredients I have access to, living in rural Scotland far from any large supermarkets. A bonus of this vegan condensed milk is that it is also gluten-free.

white board with vegan condensed milk can, digestive biscuits, marshmallows, candied cherries and small bowl of desiccated coconut.

How To Prepare

The 5 ingredients you will need for vegan fifteens are - digestive biscuits, vegan marshmallows, glacé cherries, desiccated coconut, and vegan condensed milk.

Fifteens are traditionally moulded into an oval sausage shape before being tightly wrapped and chilled. However, for an alternative easier method simply press firmly into a lined baking dish and chill in the refrigerator.

digestive biscuits ground to a fine crumb.
digestives, marshmallows and candied cherries added to mixing bowl with silver spoon.

Step 1: First grind the digestive biscuits into crumbs. You can use either a food processor and pulse the biscuits until they are fine crumbs, or you can place the biscuits into a food or freezer bag, seal, and bash with a rolling pin or can of food until crumbed.

Step 2: Slice the cherries in half and the marshmallows into 3-4 pieces and add to a bowl along with the biscuit crumbs.

vegan condensed milk poured into the fifteens ingredients in mixing bowl.
condensed milk stirred through the fifteens ingredients and beginning to clump together.

Step 3: Pour in the vegan condensed milk and stir until the mixture clumps together.

desiccated coconut sprinkled over greaseproof paper.
fifteens ingredients squashed together into oval sausage shape in mixing bowl with silver spoon to side.

Step 4: Scatter the desiccated coconut over a sheet of baking paper.

Step 5: Firmly shape the mixture into a thick log shape in the mixing bowl. It should be easy to pick it up in one piece but you can fix it on the baking paper if necessary.

fifteens moulded into thick roll and placed onto the coconut on the baking paper.
desiccated coconut sprinkled over the fifteens log.

Step 6: Place the fifteen mixture onto the coconut and mould the mix firmly together into a thick long log shape. Scatter the top with desiccated coconut.

Step 7: Lift the baking paper and wrap it tightly around the log several times.

Step 8: Place the wrapped log in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours or preferably overnight.

fifteens chilled in refrigerator and on white board ready to slice, four sliced portions on board.

Step 9: The fifteen log will be very firm once chilled completely. Carefully slice the log into 15 pieces.

Recipe Notes

Storage And Freezing

Fifteens can be stored within a covered food container and placed in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Although they will be fine outwith the refrigerator for a day or so.

Fifteens can also be frozen for 2-3 months, well wrapped with cling film and a second layer of kitchen foil which will provide extra protection against freezer burn. To defrost unwrap and place in the refrigerator to thaw.

FAQ'S

Why are fifteens called fifteens?

The main reason that fifteens are called fifteens is because the ingredients include 15 digestives, 15 marshmallows and 15 cherries. Also the fifteen log is sliced into 15 portions.

Additionally, another reason could be that many people like to have a fifteen minute tea or coffee break and seeing as the fifteens are intended to be enjoyed along with a cup of tea, then possibly their name also reflects this 15 minute break.

What are digestive biscuits?

In the UK a biscuit tends to be something that is crunchy, crumbly and perfect for dunking into a cup of tea. Digestive biscuits or sweet-meal biscuits are popular within the UK and are a plain style of British biscuit that are usually prepared with wholemeal or wholewheat flour.

Digestive biscuits actually originate in Scotland as they were invented by two Scottish doctors in 1839 with the aim of creating a biscuit that would be a useful digestive aid. Bicarbonate of soda featured within the biscuits as they were believed to help neutralize acids within the stomach. McVitie's the British biscuit company began manufacturing digestive biscuits in 1892.

Can the digestive biscuits be substituted?

Yes, you can use any variety of plain crunchy biscuit as a substitute for the digestives. Although do avoid using biscuits that have a cream filling as they may not grind to a fine crumb and could result in the fifteen mixture becoming too moist.

For the US and other countries digestives may be difficult to source or may be too expensive if sold within British speciality stores, so a vegan-friendly Graham cracker could be used or a similar biscuit or cookie.

Do fifteens need to have glacé or candied cherries?

No, many people dislike glacé cherries so these can be replace with dried fruit such as raisins or sultanas or perhaps add some vegan chocolate buttons.

Other ideas include soft vegan sweets or candy such as Jelly Tots or a vegan alternative to Malteser's or similar chocolate sweet.

Although if you do like candied cherries, they do come in different colours such as yellow and green as well as the usual red. The green candied cherries would be perfect for fifteens that are for a St Patricks Day celebration.

Can fifteens be prepared as gluten-free?

Yes, with a few changes you can prepare gluten-free fifteens. You'll need a packet of gluten-free digestive biscuits such as Asda Free From Digestive biscuits, or Sainsbury's Deliciously Free from Digestive biscuits. Also ensure that the vegan marshmallows are gluten-free as well as the vegan condensed milk. The Nestle carnation vegan condensed milk is gluten-free.

vegan fifteens on a white cake tiered stand with red and white check tablecloth.

More vegan no-bake recipes

You don't need an oven to create a delicious no-bake cake, cake bar or sweet. Using the refrigerator to chill no-bake treats is a handy budget-friendly way to have delicious home-baking without having to switch the oven on.

Here are a few of our family favourites refrigerator bakes recipes that we know you will love also - these Vegan Top Hat Treats look amazing on any party table and for Easter our Vegan Chocolate Crispy Cakes and these classic Vegan Chocolate Cornflake Cakes always go down well. And for a rich indulgent treat do give our Cherry, Cranberry & Chocolate Fridge Cake a try.

  • Vegan Top Hat Treats [Chocolate Marshmallows]
  • Featured image for vegan rice crispy cakes.
    Vegan Chocolate Rice Crispy Cakes [No-Bake]
  • Cherry, Cranberry And Chocolate No-Bake Fridge Cake
  • Vegan Easter Cornflake Cakes on a white plate with vegan mini eggs on top of each cake and a linen table runner with writing stating 'happy Easter', rabbit placemat image and peach tulips to side/featured image.
    Vegan Chocolate Cornflake Cakes

***please note: for US measurements click the 'US customary button' within the recipe and the measurements will switch to tablespoons, cups, and ounces.

📖 Recipe

White cake plate with fifteens, second plate of fifteens to side, red teapot to side and cup with cup images beside teapot, red and white check background.

Vegan Irish Fifteens [Refrigerator Bake]

Course: after dinner treat, Afternoon tea, Party, picnic
Cuisine: Irish
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Refrigerator bake: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 15 slices
Calories: 142kcal
Author: Jacq
These tasty fifteens are not too sweet but are fresh, light and incredibly delicious especially along with a nice cup of tea or coffee.
A batch of fifteens always look amazing as part of a party, buffet or picnic spread.
Not a fan of candied cherries? Simply replace the cherries with vegan chocolate buttons, dried fruits such as apricots or dates, or your favourite vegan soft candy/sweets such as Jelly Tots, vegan alternative to chocolate Malteser's, etc.
Print Recipe
US Customary - Metric

Equipment

  • Food processor optional, as can simply bash the digestives to crumbs with the aid of a rolling pin or food can and a food/freezer bag.
  • Mixing bowl
  • mixing spoon
  • Baking paper. or cling film/Seram wrap, for wrapping the fifteen log
  • Baking tray or large plate

Ingredients

  • 15 digestive biscuits [vegan friendly brand, or replace with another plain crunchy vegan biscuit/ can use graham crackers]
  • 15 vegan marshmallows [regular sized, if using mini marshmallows more will be required about 3-4 mini marshmallows for one regular]
  • 15 glace cherries [glace cherries, can replace with soft/crunchy vegan sweets/candies/chocolates/dried fruits such as apricots or dates]
  • 230 millilitres vegan condensed milk [may require a little less or more]
  • 60 grams desiccated coconut

Instructions

  • First crush the digestive biscuits into crumbs.
    Either place the digestives into a food processor and pulse until the biscuits are crumbs or place the digestives into a food bag, seal, and bash with a rolling pin or a food can until crumbed.
    Add the crumbs to a mixing bowl.
    15 digestive biscuits
  • Cut each cherry in half and slice the marshmallows into 3-4 pieces. Add to the bowl with the digestive crumbs and mix together.
    15 glace cherries, 15 vegan marshmallows
  • Pour in about 200 millilitres of condensed milk and stir well, squashing the ingredients together. Pour in the last 40 millilitres if necessary to stick all the ingredients together into a large clump.
    You may require more or less of the condensed milk so use just enough so that the mixture can be picked up and squashed together.
    230 millilitres vegan condensed milk
  • Set a sheet of baking paper on to a baking tray or large plate.
    Sprinkle the desiccated coconut over the paper.
    [Alternatively cling film or food wrap or a reusable alternative can be used and may be more easy to wrap the mixture with as it is tends to be more pliable.]
    60 grams desiccated coconut
  • Lift the fifteen mixture out the mixing bowl and place it onto the coconut. Mould the fifteen dough into a thick, long even shaped log.
    Press the mixture gently but firmly together as you mould it.
    Your aiming for 15 slices so use a knife and check to see if the log is the right size for 13-15 slices. But don't actually cut through the dough yet.
    Each slice is roughly about 2 inch in length and about 1- 1½ inch wide, and about ½ thick, although technically the fifteens can be any size your prefer or end up with so don't aim for perfection.
  • Pick up some of the desiccated coconut and sprinkle it over the top of the log.
    Now firmly wrap the fifteen log with the paper or cling film. There should be enough wrapping to wrap the log within several layers.
    Press and smooth the log through the wrapping, and mould it some more if necessary.
  • [Alternatively line a square baking pan with greaseproof paper, a small-medium sized brownie pan is ideal, and just press the fifteen dough very firmly into the pan. Sprinkle with desiccated coconut. This will produce square shaped fifteens]
  • Place the log into the refrigerator to chill for at least 2-3 hours, although preferably 6 hours or so, or even better overnight.
    The fifteens log should be very firm when set.
  • Using a sharp knife carefully slice the fifteens into fifteen pieces or however many you prefer or can slice.
  • If using the baking pan, simply remove the fifteens by lifting out with the aid of the parchment paper and slice into portions.

Notes

  • Nutritional information is for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
  • Fifteens can be stored within the refrigerator for up to 5 days within a covered container. 
  • Fifteens can be frozen, well wrapped, for 2-3 months. Either freeze the fifteens log before slicing or freeze slices of fifteens. A piece of parchment paper between slices will make it easier to pull out one or two pieces at a time.
  • For gluten-free fifteens use a gluten-free digestive biscuit and gluten-free marshmallows.
  • If sourcing digestive biscuits are difficult then an alternative such as graham crackers are a good switch.
  • Any variety of crunchy, plain biscuit can be used. Many biscuit brands are accidentally-vegan.
  • Not a fan of glace or candied cherries? Simply omit or replace with vegan chocolate chips/buttons, or other soft vegan candy/sweets such as Jelly Tots or vegan alternative to Malteser's, or dried fruits such as dates or apricots.
  • If using mini marshmallows or an alternative such as raisins or small candies or sweets you will need to use more than 15.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Comments

Prepared our Vegan Irish Fifteens recipe? Do let us know how you got on by dropping us a comment below and clicking the star ratings, as we love hearing from you. Thanks so much! Love Jacq x

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