Whitworths Date Crumble Slice Food

NEWFOUNDLAND DATE CRUMBLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper if you want.
• As noted in the recipe description, some people prefer these date squares with less filling so you can reduce the amounts in the filling by 1/4, 1/3 or even 1/2 if you prefer.
• In a medium saucepan combine and gently simmer until thickened (about 10-15 minutes).
• The filling should be very thick; you will need to watch it carefully and stir constantly in the last few minutes of cooking time.
• Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the crumble mixture.
• In a large bowl, toss together the rolled oats, baking powder, coconut, flour and brown sugar.
• Using your hands, rub the butter thoroughly through the dry ingredients.
• Divide crumble mixture in half and press half into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
• Spread date mixture over the base.
• Top with remaining crumb mixture, pressing it together in clumps in your hands and then breaking it into small pieces with your fingers to scatter evenly over the date filling.
• Press down lightly.
• Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
• This is a very good basic recipe but I have also had very good variations of date crumbles over the years.
• Orange Date Crumbles: Substitute orange juice for the water in the filling and add the zest of a medium orange.
• Cocoa Date Crumbles: Add 4 tbsp cocoa to the filling.
• Hazelnut or Almond Date Crumbles: Prepare filling as usual. Add ½ cup ground Almonds or Hazelnuts plus 1 tsp cinnamon and ½ tsp nutmeg to the crumble.

DATE CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 355 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
• Combine dates, water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla extract in a saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until filling mixture forms a paste, about 5 minutes. Add more water if filling gets too thick. Remove saucepan from heat and cool.
• Place flour in a bowl and rub margarine into flour using your hands until mixture resembles bread crumbs; stir in oats and 3/4 cup sugar. Press 1/2 of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spoon filling over over crust, smoothing with the back of the spoon, leaving a thin border between the filling and the edge of the dish. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture over filling.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

DATE & APPLE SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Grease an 18cm square tin and line with baking parchment.
• Tip the apples into a pan with 2 tbsp water. Bring to the boil and simmer on a low heat for 5 mins until tender and slightly pulpy. Add the dates and 50g of the sugar, and cook for a further 5 mins. Take off the heat and break the apples down with the back of a spoon until smooth and well mixed with the dates. Set aside.
• Gently melt the butter in a saucepan. Mix the flour, bicarb, oats and remaining sugar in a bowl. Pour in the melted butter and stir well until oats are coated.
• Press half the mixture firmly into the tin, spread the apple mix on top and smooth over. Cover with the remaining oat mixture and press down. Bake for 30-35 mins until golden and firm. Cool in the tin before cutting into squares.