Food for the Gods

[reenicake]

Food for the Gods

Rich and festive, a tradition for gift-giving and snacking. Molasses and bread flour make them darker and more chewy. Cool completely (chilling is even better) before cutting, then wrap pieces in cellophane or decorative foil.

• 1/2 lb unsalted butter, softened
  
• 2 T molasses, honey or golden syrup
  
• 1/2 c sugar
  
• 1 tsp vanilla or nutmeg
  
• 1/2 lb brown sugar (muscovado if possible)
  
• 3 eggs (6 oz)
  
• 1 c all-purpose flour or bread flour
  
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/4 tsp salt
  
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
  
• 1 c walnuts, pecans or other nuts, coarsely chopped
  
• 1-1/2 c pitted dates, chopped, or a combo of dates and raisins
  

Preheat oven to 325. Line a 13x9 pan with parchment or brown paper and lightly butter or spray the paper.

Cream the butter, syrup, vanilla and both sugars until well-mixed (no need to really aerate.) Add the eggs one at a time and beat until combined.

Dredge the dates and nuts with 2 tbsp. of the flour. Combine the rest of the flour with salt, bp and b soda. Add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the nuts and dates.

Spread in the pan and bake 30-40 minutes, or until browned and fragrant. Cool completely. Slide the whole slab out onto a cutting board to cut into strips then individual pieces.

Keywords: Dessert, Filipino, Easy, Christmas, Snack, Brownies/Bars

( RG1996 )