mum's date crunchies

I've mentioned before that my mum was well ahead of her time in believing in a healthy diet.

Strange as it may now seem, back in the sixties and seventies, the idea that what you ate had much bearing on health was seen as slightly weird.

 But mum was very interested in a vegetarian diet and also did a lot of baking using wholemeal flour. She had a recipe book from a company called Prewett's and one of her go-to recipes was date crunchies.

 

Quick and easy, these delicious treats can be made in moments.

 

 

 

The story goes, that if unexpected visitors were spotted coming along the road, mum could have these mixed together and in the oven before they knocked on the door!

 

 

Here is my adaptation of that recipe:

 

5oz/150g oats

5oz/150g self raising flour (white or wholemeal)

2 and a half oz/60g brown sugar

5oz/150g softened butter

2 blocks of dried dates about 1lb/500g in total

 

Place the dates with about 3 tblsp water into a saucepan (or covered bowl in the microwave) and heat gently until they soften to a spreadable paste.

Meanwhile, rub the remaining ingredients together as though making pastry.

Press half the mixture into the base of a rectangular baking tray 11x7'' or 28/18cm.

Spread the dates on top and then sprinkle over the remaining oat mixture and press down lightly.

Bake at 180c for about 30 minutes.

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

 

 

 

 And just as a matter interest and to show that there are fashions in everything, even the way we photograph food, here is the photo from the original book.

 

 

and  complete with a chart !