Everyone will go nuts for this dairy-free date and walnut slice. It’s quick, easy and totally delicious.
The only problem with this slice is that it tastes too good and every time I make it, it disappears so quickly, I don’t get a chance to capture it on camera. I am proper addicted I tell you.
You can’t go wrong with date and walnuts, they just go so great together, don’t you think? If you don’t believe me check out my Date and Walnut Loaf with Maple Syrup and this Banana, Date, Cherry and Walnut Loaf. Anyhoo, I digress, back to this slice! It’s perfect for your dairy free friends, is quick, easy and requires a handful of pantry staples. I like to whip this up in my Thermomix but this recipe is seriously old skool and all you really need is a bowl and a spoon!
I took this slice to the Asylum Seeker’s Centre when I was last on lunch lady duty and it went down a treat. It got some rave reviews from the clients, one of whom loved it so much, she asked me for the recipe. I was so thrilled, I emailed it to her right away because everyone should have this slice and eat it! I love volunteering at the centre and although making lunch isn’t going to change the world, I hope that it might change someone’s day in a delicious way.
Are you a fan of ye olde date and walnut combo? Have you ever loved a dish so much that you asked for the recipe?
Makes 16 squares
Ingredients
250g (1 1/2 cups) pitted dates, chopped
75g (1/3 cup) brown sugar
60g (1/3 cup) wholemeal self-raising flour
60g walnut pieces, chopped
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon mixed spice
pinch of salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
icing sugar, for decorating
How to – Traditional
- Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a shallow 20cm square tin.
- Place dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the eggs, oil and vanilla and mix well. The mixture will be quite thick.
- Spoon mixture into tin and press down with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven, cut while hot and set aside to cool.
- Dust bars with icing sugar before serving.
How to – Thermomix
- Chop dates for 5 seconds on speed 6. Set aside.
- Chop walnuts for 3 seconds on speed 4. Set aside.
- Add the egg, oil and vanilla to TM bowl and mix for 5 seconds on speed 4.
- Add the sugar, flour, baking powder, mixed spice, salt and the chopped dates and walnuts. Mix for 15 seconds on reverse speed 3.
- Spoon mixture into tin and press down with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.Remove from the oven, cut while hot and set aside to cool.
- Dust bars with icing sugar before serving.
