Food for the Gods

Copyright 2013 LtDan'sKitchen blogs

Okay, finally a recipe I can post. I had to tweak the original recipe to achieve the buttery flavor and moist texture of this very popular pastry bar.  A staple during Christmas, they are sold in boxes alongside fruit cakes and brownies in addition to being ordered from every aspiring baker you know in the city. The original recipe came to me via my friend Butch and it worked quite well when I was living in the US but after trying out the recipe using the ingredients available in the grocery stores here, the taste was a bit different. It was still good but there was something missing to it. I could not quite fathom it then but I finally decided to give it a try and with a bit of a tweak, I'm thankful that it came out great. The change was quite simple and it all has to do with the butter. 

Food for the Gods

1 1/4 cup dates, pitted and diced
3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
3/4 cups unsalted butter
1/4 cup butter compound
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. In a large pan over low heat, melt the butter 
    and butter compound.

2. Add the sugar to the melted butter and mix well. Allow to cool for about 5 
    minutes. 

3. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. 

4. Using a mesh, sift the flour and baking powder over the egg mixture. Mix 
    well with a wooden spoon. Add the vanilla and mix into the batter.

5. Add the nuts and dates into the batter and combine until just mixed. Pour 
    into a 9x13 baking pan lined with aluminum foil and bake for about 25-30 
    minutes. Do not overbake.

6.  Cool completely and cut into squares.