Crumbly topped sticky date slice

Yay! Today is the last day of term before Easter! ๐Ÿ™‚ I must be one of those that are in the minority (nothing new there!) as I love it when the children are off school! ๐Ÿ˜€ Okay, so as they grow up and become teenagers they really don’t want so much parent time, but it’s still nice to have them at home! ๐Ÿ˜€

What do I have planned? Well, to tell the truth I’ve spent the whole week organising something which now isn’t going to happen! Not a complete waste of time, just a lesson to myself not to let others influence my thoughts and actions! So, apart from the relief that came when said plan was cancelled AND this morning refunded in full (hooray)! not much was achieved this week! Note: learn from your mistakes and move on!

A n y w a y… lots of eating was carried out! Mostly of the sweet variety! There was that vegan chocolate cake I received for Mothers Day – totally gone by about Wednesday I think! The baklava, loads of fresh bread – even a spiced cheesy variety! and then this date slice! ?

 

One slice or two?

 

Date slice always reminds me of Dad – if you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that he is no longer here, but I know that he would have absolutely loved this! ๐Ÿ™‚ Let’s look at how easy it is! ๐Ÿ˜€

5 from 2 votes
Date Slice

A crisp pastry base, a sweet date filling with crunchy pecans and a light crumbly topping.

Created by:: Laurena @LifeDietHealth
Gather
  • For the base…
  • 25 g butter (we used Vitalite)
  • 50 g plain flour (gluten free if required)
  • 1-3 tablespoons cold water
  • For the filling…
  • 200 g date paste (or de-stoned dates)
  • 20 g butter (we used Vitalite)
  • 40 ml water
  • pinch of cinnamon (to add sweetness to date paste if needed)
  • pinch of salt
  • *optional handful of chopped nuts (we used pecans)
  • For the Topping…
  • 50 g plain flour (gluten free if required)
  • 50 g porridge oats (gluten free if required)
  • 25 g sugar (we used coconut sugar)
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • 50 g butter (we used Vitalite)
Prepare
  1. First make the pastry base by rubbing the butter into the flour and adding enough cold water to make a soft dough. Press into the base of a (lined) square tin and prick the base several times. Bake as it is (bake blind) for 15 minutes at Gas Mark 4 (350f / 180c). It should be just starting to turn golden.

  2. Mix the date paste (or dates) with the butter, water, cinnamon and salt to make a softer spreadable paste. If it helps, you can gently heat this to make combining the ingredients easier. Spread the paste over the pastry base, levelling it out as much as possible.

  3. If using, sprinkle the nuts over the dates paste and gently press in. If your nuts are very soft, you can dry fry them for a few minutes in a pan to crisp them up.

  4. Mix the flour, oats, sugar and cinnamon together, then rub in the butter using your fingertips until you have a soft crumble. Tip the crumble over the date paste and spread out evenly. Ensure all the date mixture is covered. Return to the oven and bake for a further 20 minutes at Gas Mark 4 (350f / 180c).

  5. Allow to cool in the tin before carefully removing (use the lining paper to gently remove it from the tin). Cut into squares or slices and enjoy!

Tips & Storage
  • You can use date paste or dried dates. Dried dates are likely sweeter than date paste, but date paste is a quicker, easier, less messy option!ย 
  • You can change this to use other fruits – dried, tinned or fresh. Try dried apricots or figs, tinned cherries, or fresh apple compote.
  • Try with nuts or without (or half and half) for a different taste.
  • This keeps well on the counter covered for up to a week.
  • Cut into slices, wrap in baking paper and freeze for up to 3 months.

I’m a bit late to the party this week, but I’m going to share this over at Angie’s Fiesta Friday! This week the Fiesta is co-hosted by the lovely Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook and as we are running short on co-hosts, by the wonderful Angie herself! ๐Ÿ™‚ Please come over and have a look around and if you have a bit of spare time one weekend, please consider being a co-host for this wonderful party! ๐Ÿ™‚ 

As always, if you make this date slice (or any of our other recipes), please post your photos using #LifeDietHealth or @LifeDietHealth so we can see your creations, or send a copy in an email!  ๐Ÿ™‚ We love to see your interpretations of our recipes!

Hereโ€™s a few products you might need for the date slice. If you purchase from Amazon.co.uk by clicking one of these links, we will receive a small commission (at no cost to you), which goes towards the running of the site (and all the recipe testing)! Thank you for your support!

 

 

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Date slice with my gorgeous red plant that’s just sprung up (anyone know what it is please?)

We love to chat and we answer every comment personally (sometimes it might take us longer than other times)! so please join in below! Say hello, tell us what you think of this recipe, tell us about your week or suggest a recipe for us to create!

Speak soon, Have a great weekend!

Laurena x

11 Comments

  • Eva Gallon 5th April 2019 at 15:38

    I think a date slice /cake recipe was one of the first posts I found of yours, I love itโ˜บHowever, it’s so much easier and quicker just scarfing down dates lol. Weather turned much cooler and ‘autumnal’ here. Anyway, have a nice weekend and enjoy the date slice in honour of your Dad x

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 5th April 2019 at 17:08

      Nooo Eva! This recipe is an easy one! Eat the rock cakes while you are waiting! ๐Ÿ˜› (how many have you got left?)! We had cooler weather this week (a frost too)! but today seems warmer (typical as I was in the car)! Allotment time over the holidays me thinks! ๐Ÿ˜€ Have a fantastic weekend x

      Reply
  • Eva Gallon 5th April 2019 at 20:13

    Haha, there are two left which I’m sure will disappear soon? It was cold here today too! I think I know the answer to this question but does your son sometimes help you with the allotment??

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 5th April 2019 at 20:53

      Only two! ๐Ÿ˜› Hahaha! Is there a playstation at the allotment!!!! ??

      Reply
  • Eva Gallon 5th April 2019 at 21:00

    Lol, enough said on both points?

    Reply
  • Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook 9th April 2019 at 10:14

    Hmmm, dates. I love them (but I think I love everything – haha!). I don’t think a piece or two is not enough, so I might take the whole thing, lol. Thank you for sharing at Fiesta Friday, Laurena. I am always happy to see. When are we going to co-host together? ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 9th April 2019 at 10:19

      Thanks Jhuls! You can take it all – it’s easy to make so I’ll just make another one! ๐Ÿ˜› ๐Ÿ˜€ When are you free to co-host again… although my time is quickly running towards Ramadan and I’m not sure I can look at all the lovely foods when I’m fasting! ๐Ÿ˜›

      Reply
  • Monika Dabrowski 9th April 2019 at 12:18

    These look great and sound super healthy, a dessert with very little added sugar always gets my vote!

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 9th April 2019 at 12:24

      Thanks Monika, they are so tasty (great with a dollop of natural yogurt)! I hope you are well.

      Reply
  • Angie | Fiesta Friday 12th April 2019 at 03:55

    3 slices for me, please, and sorry can’t help you with the red plant. I am the novice gardener, you know ๐Ÿ˜€ It’s a pretty plant, though.

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th April 2019 at 10:29

      Thanks! 3 slices it is Angie! ๐Ÿ™‚ You know it keeps well and would probably get to you in perfect condition! ๐Ÿ˜› Yes, novice gardener… I was hoping Loretta might drop by – I’m sure she’d know what it was – it just popped right up overnight and it’s so lovely to see in this cold dull weather! Speak soon x

      Reply

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