5.0 from 15 votes
Date Squares with Coconut
Easy and absolutely delicious, these date bars have a biscuit base, and layers of dates, walnuts and coconut all topped with a sweetened condensed milk drizzle. Addictive.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Servings: 20 people
Calories: 126 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups digestive biscuits or graham crackers 10 digestive biscuits, 12 graham crackers (155g/6oz)
- 1/2 tick unsalted butter, melted 55 g
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
For the topping:
- 150 g soft dates, pitted and cut in half 5 oz, I used 13 dates
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 60 g
- 3-4 tablespoon shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk 200g, 8 oz
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Prepare an 8x8 inch square pan by lightly greasing and lining with parchment paper.
- Crush the digestive biscuits or graham crackers into a fine powder either by using a food processor or by placing in a large ziploc bag and whacking with a rolling pin.
- Place the biscuit crumbs in a large bowl, add the melted butter and cinnamon if using and mix well until combined and all the crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Press crumbs tightly into the base of the prepared pan.
- Scatter the dates evenly on the base, followed by the chopped walnuts.
- Drizzled the condensed milk in lines evenly over the top. Finally, sprinkle on the shredded coconut.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown and set. Let the bars cool completely before lifting out of the pan and slicing into even squares.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Recipe tips:
- Storing leftover date coconut squares:
- Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature for 3-4 days. They probably won't last you that long, but they hold up very well and taste just as good a few days out.
- They can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to 4 weeks.
- Make sure the crumbs are really fine and powdery. Since there isn't a lot of butter in the recipe, this will make it easier for them to bind with the melted butter. Pack very firmly into pan, you can use the base of a measuring cup to help you. You can also stick the pan in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, this will also help bind the crust together.
- You can double this recipe to make a 9x13 inch pan- the bars will fly so if you're feeding a crowd this is a great option!
- Feel free to substitute the walnuts for pecans.
- For extra decadence, warm these slightly in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Delicious!
Nutrition Information
Calories
126kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
9mg
(3%)
Sodium
76mg
(3%)
Potassium
116mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
98IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
40mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 126
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 126kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 9mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 76mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 116mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 98IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.