Date Nut Squares

Reminiscent of the crumbly-crusted date-nut squares you'd find in a New England bakery, this version of an old favorite adds some autumn-type spices to the crust.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (2 1/4 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (2 ounces) King Arthur Whole Wheat Flour, traditional or white whole wheat
1/2 cup (3 1/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice or a combination of 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) cold unsalted butter
2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) pitted dried dates
1/2 cup (4 ounces) boiling water
1/4 cup (1 7/8 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1 cup (4 ounces) toasted walnuts*

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 inch square baking pan.
Combine the flours, sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Stir to mix well.
Cut the butter into pieces and blend it into the dry ingredients, using your fingertips or a pastry blender; the mixture will be crumbly.
Pour 2/3 of this into the prepared pan and pat down.
Soften dates in the boiling water.
Add the sugar and process in a blender or food processor until pureed.
Add the walnuts.
Spread the filling on top of the crust.
Sprinkle the reserved crust on top of the filling.
Bake for about 30 minutes. The top should be lightly browned.
Cool completely and cut into 20 squares.

Notes

* Toasting the walnuts before using them brings out a nutty essence. Toast nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 350 degrees F oven for 8 to 10 minutes - just until you can start to smell them; let cool before using.

Nutrition

Per serving (1 square, 50g): 181 cal, 8g fat, 2g protein, 17g complex carbohydrates, 8g sugar, 2g dietary fiber, 13mg cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 190mg potassium, 1mg iron, 27mg calcium, 43mg phosphorus

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: King Arthur Flour

This recipe reprinted from The Baking Sheet Newsletter, Vol. III, No. 8, September-October 1992 issue.