Date Kisses Recipes

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 KISSES

Steps:

• Beat egg whites until soft peaks form add sugar gradually, beating until all sugar is added. Fold in remaining ingredients and drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven let stand until cookies are set, about 10 to 15 minutes.

DATE-NUT KISSES

Steps:

• Set 2 oven racks at top and bottom thirds of oven.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Spray 2 non-stick baking sheets generously with oil spray.
• In shallow pan over medium-high heat, toast almonds until lightly browned, about 15 minutes, stirring several times.
• Set aside.
• In clean, dry bowl, beat egg white with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
• Add rum extract.
• While beating, gradually sprinkle in granulated sugar.
• Beat in dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Fold in dates, raisins and almonds.
• Drop mixture by teaspoon onto baking sheets 3 inches apart, to make 25 cookies.
• Stagger pans on separate racks so lower pan is not directly below top pan.
• Bake cookies 10 minutes.
• Switch pans to opposite racks.
• Bake 10 minutes more or until cookies are light brown, firm and feel dry to the touch.
• Turn off oven.
• Let cookies sit in oven 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cool completely on baking sheets.
• Using metal spatula, gently remove cookies from sheets.
• If not served immediately, store in airtight container, with wax paper between layers, up to 3 days.
• These are crisp on the outside and slightly chewy inside on the first day, they later become chewy throughout.