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RETRO CHOCOLATE DATE NUT SQUARES

A rich, moist, earthy, warm cake that can easily be sliced into squares for a pot-luck etc.
Course Dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 28 squares

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates , chopped
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 1 1/2 cups AP flour
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 coconut palm sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup packed coconut palm sugar
  • 1/2 chopped , toasted walnuts
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Put dates and baking soda into a large bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Stir and set aside.
  3. Prepare a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick spray or grease it with butter.
  4. Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a bowl with a whisk.
  5. With a mixer, beat the butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
  6. Add eggs, one at a time.
  7. Then add the flour mixture till just blended.
  8. Take the batter and pour it into the dates and water. Stir. The batter will be runny.
  9. Pour into the greased baking pan.
  10. Combine the 1/2 cup of coconut palm sugar, nuts and chocolate chips together in a bowl. Spread these evenly over the runny batter. Some will fall into the batter, that's fine.
  11. Bake for 50 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
  12. Let cool on a rack completely before slicing.

Recipe Notes

The original recipe called for brown sugar. Yes, this is totally acceptable. I've used coconut palm sugar- it has a few added nutrient benefits (fine, it's still sugar) The flavour is wonderfully like brown sugar- that caramel, warm sweetness.

My mother in law stated on the card that this could make 54 squares. This is indicative of the many pot-lucks and get togethers they attended out west, and how moms always brought enough to share!

If you actually want to achieve this number, really ensure that you have let the pan cool entirely before cutting into it, or else it will be more crumbly, than nice neat squares.