Date and Cookie Slice

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