Chewy Date Torte Food

DATE-AND-WALNUT BARS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325, and line a 13-by-18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until well mixed and no lumps remain. Tip about 1/2 cup of the flour mixture into a medium bowl; add the dates, and toss well to coat, breaking up the dates as you go. Set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with both sugars just until smoothly incorporated, about 2 minutes on medium speed. Add the eggs in 3 batches, mixing well each time and scraping down the sides of the bowl and the paddle between additions.
• Add the flour mixture and date mixture, and mix gently on low just until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer, and use a spatula to fold in the walnuts. Transfer the mixture to the parchment-lined sheet pan, and use an offset spatula to spread it in an even layer, pushing it into the edges and corners and smoothing the surface. Bake until brown and set, about 45 minutes.
• Cool completely in the pan, then remove and cut into squares. Serve right away, or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

DATE, DRIED-CHERRY AND CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine dates, cherries, and baking soda in a heatproof bowl, then stir in boiling water and brandy.
• Whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt.
• Beat together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until just combined. Beat in vanilla and zest. Add half of flour mixture and beat at low speed until just combined. Add date mixture with liquid and beat at low speed until just combined. Add remaining flour mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in chocolate and pecans.
• Pour batter into a generously buttered 24-cm (9-inch) springform pan, smoothing top. Bake in middle of oven until center is slightly rounded and top of torte is cracked (edges will be dark brown), about 55 minutes. Let torte stand 5 minutes in pan on a rack. Run a sharp small knife around side of pan to loosen, then remove side. Cool torte on rack.

DATES WRAPPED IN CHEESE PASTRY

Steps:

• Let the cheese and margarine stand in a bowl at room temperature until softened.
• Cut in the flour and pepper as for pie dough.
• Slit the dates; stuff with the pecan halves.
• Flatten a small amount of dough in the palm of the hand.
• Wrap a date in the dough, sealing completely.
• Repeat with the remaining dough and dates.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until light brown.
• Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container.