Chocolate and dates in a festive bar with a caramel topping.
Ingredients
- For the bar:
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup crushed Weetabix cereal
1/4 cup sweetened grated coconut
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/4 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
- For the topping:
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons 35% cream
Directions
- Prepare the bars:
- Pre-heat oven to 350 F. To prepare the bars, in a large bowl, stir together flour, cereal, coconut, walnuts, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat dates, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter, stirring constantly, until the brown sugar is dissolved and the dates are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the date mixture into the flour mixture until well combined. Line a 6” x 12” baking pan (or similar size pan) with parchment paper. Press the mixture into the pan; it should be about 1” thick before baking. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm to the touch, or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool while you prepare the topping.
- Make the topping:
- For the topping, place the 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and the cream in a saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour over warm bars. Let sit in room temperate for about 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove from pan and cut into 1” x 3” bars.
Notes
- Adapted from a French-language recipe by Mme Carrée of Canal Vie.