Return to Main Recipes Page/Return to Home Page

Squares, Date (D, TNT)
Source: Unknown
Yield: 48 1-1/2" squares

Crust:
1 cup sifted all purpose flour
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Filling:
2 large or extra-large eggs
1-1/2 cups dark or light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup sliced (not slivered) almonds
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped, pitted dried dates
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp. sifted all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Make Crust:
Sift together flour and powdered sugar. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal, with several pieces the size of small peas.

Pat dough onto bottom of ungreased 12"x8"x1/2" baking pan. Bake until crust is golden (about 12 to 15 minutes). Take care not to overbake, as the crust will be rebaked after the topping is added. Remove crust from oven.

Make Filling and Assembly:
Break eggs into medium-sized mixing bowl. Using electric mixer or wire whisk, beat until thick and lemon-colored. Add brown sugar, nuts, coconut, dates, vanilla, baking powder, flour, and salt. Beat until thoroughly blended.

Evenly spread topping mixture over baked crust. Bake until golden brown (about 20 minutes). Place pan on trivet until cool. Cut cookies into squares.

Poster's Notes:
These are very similar to the more common "dream bars", but unique because of the sliced almonds and chopped dates. They're delicious. The chopped dates can be used straight from the package.

Although I always used sifted flour when making these, 1 cup sifted = 1 cup minus 2 tbsp. unsifted, so I'll adjust it with unsifted flour the next time I make them.

Posted by Virginia Sauer (Sir Angus), Z'L

Nutritional Info Per Serving: N/A