
A historical dessert from Recipes from here and there (1900). Test doneness with a straw. Cut while hot and roll in powdered sugar.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Sift one and one-half cups flour with two teaspoons baking powder and one-half teaspoon salt
Mix with one cup chopped nuts, one package sliced dates
To three well beaten eggs, add one cup sugar
Combine mixtures
Bake in shallow pan in slow oven thirty to forty minutes, or until done when tested with straw
While hot cut into oblongs
Roll in powdered sugar
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Coating the dates and nuts with flour before mixing prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the batter during baking. The eggs provide both structure and leavening—when beaten well, they incorporate air that expands in the oven, while their proteins set to create a chewy, brownie-like texture. Rolling the bars in powdered sugar while still hot allows the residual moisture to slightly dissolve the sugar, creating a sweet coating that adheres better than it would to cooled bars.
The dry mixture of flour, baking powder, salt, nuts, and dates can be combined up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not mix the wet and dry ingredients until ready to bake, as the baking powder will activate prematurely.
Store the powdered sugar-coated bars in an airtight container at room temperature, with parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking, for up to 5 days. The bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature and dust with additional powdered sugar before serving if needed.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The dry mixture of flour, baking powder, salt, nuts, and dates can be combined up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not mix the wet and dry ingredients until ready to bake, as the baking powder will activate prematurely.
Store the powdered sugar-coated bars in an airtight container at room temperature, with parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking, for up to 5 days. The bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature and dust with additional powdered sugar before serving if needed.