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Food for the Gods - Dates and Nuts Bar

Food for the Gods - Dates and Nuts Bar is a favorite Filipino dessert bar. It is richly filled with dates, raisins and walnuts, molasses and premium butter. These are much sought-after gifts during the holidays and special occasions. Wrap the bars in colorful cellophane wrappers and store them in cookie tins to give as gifts. This is an Asian in America recipe created by my sister, Isabel Besa Morales, M.S.R.D. This recipe makes 12 to 14 pieces of about 2-inch in length.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Keyword: Food for the Gods Dates Nuts Bar
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 644kcal
Author: Asian in America - Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Equipment

  • Baking Pan - 9 inches x 11 inches

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 whole large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 cup chopped unsalted walnuts (optional, omit if there are allergies)
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup chopped pitted dates

For wrapping:

  • 12 to 14 pieces colored cellophane wrappers, cut into 4 x 4 inches

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 F.
    Grease the pan with baking spray. Line bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
  • Cream the butter and sugars using an electric mixer at medium speed.
  • Add eggs one at a time. Mix well.
  • Pour the molasses and vanilla.
  • Add flour, baking soda and baking powder. Blend ingredients till completely incorporated.
  • Mix in by hand the following: Nuts, raisins and pitted dates.
    Blend ingredients well.
    Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake at preheated oven of 350 F for 35 minutes. Use a cake tester to test if done. If tester comes out clean after piercing the middle of the baking pan, then this is done.
  • Cool on the counter for up to 1 hour. Slice into 2-inch sized bars.

To wrap and package:

  • Wrap the individual Food for the Gods bars in brightly-colored cellophane wrappers.
    If you don't have cellophane, place the bars in muffin paper liners.
    Store them in cookie tins to give as presents.

To store:

  • These Food for the Gods date bars will keep with no refrigeration for up to 3 days. You can refrigerate them afterwards. Or you can store them in the freezer - in plastic wrap and foil. These keep in the freezer for at least one month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 158g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 763mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 93g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4mg