Date Walnut Squares

A few days ago I threw out a lot of really old food items in my refrigerator and freezer. That prompted me and my daughter to check the cabinets and pantry for expired stuff, and boy were there plenty! My daughter was bewildered why I keep 2 large containers of dates, one unopened and another with about 2 cups left. They don't expire nor go bad but they do take up so much space. Date walnut squares, or as we call them in the Philippines, Food for the Gods, is the yummy result of a little bit of cleaning cabinet/pantry clutter. These tiny nuggets are so rich, so delicious, just one or two will satisfy you. They are very greasy, though, so I wrap them individually in plastic wrap. In the Philippines the bake shops wrap them in aluminum foil.

Date Walnut Squares
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temprature
¼ cup grapeseed or light olive oil
½ cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups dates, chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped

• Line an 8 x 8 inch square pan with aluminum foil.
• Pre-heat oven to 325°F.
• In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
• In a medium bowl, with a hand mixer, mix sugar, butter and oil for 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time until incorporated. With a rubber spatula stir in flour mixture and nuts, then stir in dates. Spoon into the prepared pan evenly, smoothing top. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Let cool before cutting into 1-inch squares. Wrap individually in pieces of foil or plastic wrap.

moist, soft, buttery bites, so aptly named "food for the gods"