Date Slice

4.50 from 4 votes

An old fashioned baked date slice topped with lemon icing.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Australian

Servings: pieces

Calories: 156kcal

1 cup SR flour (or 1 cup plain/all purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons baking powder)
¼ cup sugar (superfine sugar)
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup chopped pitted dates
125 grams butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup (or corn syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pre-heat oven to moderate (180 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
Grease a slice tin and line with baking paper, leaving excess on the sides to lift out slice once set.
Combine flour, sugar, coconut and dates in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Place butter and golden syrup in a saucepan and stir over low heat until butter has melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
Pour melted mixture into mixing bowl containing dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
Pour mixture into slice tin and press into tin evenly using the back of a dessert spoon.
Bake for 20 minutes.

This slice is iced while hot so start preparing the icing about 5 minutes before the slice finishes cooking.
Combine the icing sugar, melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice and stir to combine. Add more lemon juice of necessary to form a mixture that is runny enough to spread over the slice.
Pour icing over slice once you remove it from the oven. Sprinkle with coconut, if desired.
Allow to cool to room temperature and then remove from tin and cut into squares using a sharp knife.

Q. How long will date slice keep?

Your slice will keep for up to a week if you store it in an airtight container at room temperature.

Q. Can I freeze this slice?

Yes, wrap it well or store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Q. Where do I buy dates?

You should find pitted dates at the supermarket with the other dried fruits.