I really should dedicate this month to Food Blogging Events and all involved in this Community. So here’s to you all.
I have been sending off most of my entries to events! When I started my blog, I really did not have much of a plan about the “how, what and when” of my posts. I decided to complete my first month of posting by being a part of food events.
Dates were to be the fruit for the month at AFAM. I had a box of seedless dates in the fridge and decided to try out a recipe from my “Waiting To Be Tried Out” collection.
These bars look a bit complicated to make but really are not. The process can be split up over two or three days, if need be. I made the filling the first day, the dough the next and did the actual putting together and baking on the third day!!
These bars have a soft filling and the real flavour comes through only the day after they are made.
Date-filled Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter , softened
- 1/2 packed sugar loosely granulated cup
- 1/2 packed jaggery brown sugar loosely powdered / cup
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/4 cup wheat germ toasted (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the filling:
- 2 cups dates seedless , lightly packeds
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon peel grated
Instructions
- For the Dough : Using an electric mixer (or by hand), beat the butter, jaggery and sugar till creamy. In a separate bowl, stir together both the flours, wheat germ, baking soda and salt. Add this to the butter-sugar mixture blending well. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate till next day at least 1 hour).
- For the Filling : Chop the dates and walnuts finely in a food processor. It should be crumbly in texture. Put in a pan with the sugar, water, lemon juice and peel and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, till thick. This should take about 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Divide into 6 portions.
- Putting it all together : Divide the dough into 2 portions. Work with one and keep the other in the fridge. Roll out the dough, using flour to prevent it from sticking, into a rectangle of about 7 by 12 inches. (This is what my rectangle measured.) Use a ruler to neaten the sides of the rectangle. Cut this rectangle into 3 strips widthwise. In the centre of each strip spread the date filling lengthwise. Using a spatula or knife fold the sides over the filling so they overlap slightly. Press down lightly. Repeat this with the second portion of dough.
- Now you would have 6 long tubular rolls with date filling. Cut each roll into 2 halves. Now there would be 12 shorter rolls. Place these, joined sided facing down, on a greased sheet and bake at 190 C/ 375 F for about 20 minutes or till they brown. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Then cut each bar in to 3 or 4 pieces. I cut them into 3. Allow to cool completely and store.
PASSIONATE BAKER....and beyond says
Hi Aparna, Thanks for dropping by my blog. Hve just read yr date post and loved it. Thought I must write to you. Yes, half my time also goes in blogevents which are such a boon, coz they give loads of direction!! I love to bake…have just baked some biscotti which is really tasty. Will hopefully post it tomorrow when the pics are clicked…:0)
Aparna says
Thanks. Will drop by.
Vcuisine says
Aparna, thanks for dropping and the date bars are so professional. Viji
Pearlsofeast says
Aparna , The date bars are great and I have bookmarked it. Lovely blog.