This slice is adapted from a traditional South African
treat, known as ‘South African Date Cookies.’ Typically they use Arnott’s
‘Marie’ biscuits, which I tried, and they were yummo... but I wanted to mix it
up and thus tried ‘lattice’ biscuits, which are usually relegated solely to stodgy
vanilla slice served at morning teas everywhere…
They are easy-peasy to make, and are scrumptiously addictive!
It’s quite difficult to stop at one, so don’t endeavour to make these if you
have self-control issues!
Ingredients
350g Pitted Dried Dates
150g Butter
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
200g Packet ‘Lattice’ Biscuits
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
¾ Cup (approximately) Shredded/desiccated Coconut
Method
Line a medium-large square or rectangular lidded container
with alfoil (cut off a sheet longer then it, so it comes up the sides for easy
removal of the slice)
Chop the dates into rough small-ish pieces (about 3-4 cuts
per date)
Melt butter and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan on medium
heat
Add the dates, and simmer until broken down like a thick
paste and ‘mushy’ (stir every now and then) – set aside to cool
Place biscuits in a snap-lock bag, then using the end of a
rolling-pin crush biscuits into different sized pieces – set aside
Lightly whisk eggs and vanilla with a fork in a cup, then
mix well into the cooled date mixture
Mix in crushed biscuits, until evenly coated
Press into the lined container, place the lid on and refrigerate for four
hours, or overnight.
Remove from container, remove alfoil from slice, then cut
into 20-24 pieces
Place coconut in bowl, then coat each segment with coconut
Enjoy!
Notes
You can change the ‘Lattice’ biscuits for ‘Marie’ if you’d
prefer, and don’t worry about the Marie being a 250g packet, using all of them
still works out fine :)
If you only have one egg, that’s fine also.
I had increased the date mixture, so If you’d prefer less,
do 250g dates with 115g butter :)
Happy Baking! =D
