Food For The Gods
Food For The Gods is a rich, moist, and decadent dessert bar featuring dates and walnuts, with a delightful balance of sweetness and texture. Perfect for special occasions or satisfying a sweet tooth, it combines the warmth of baked goodness with hearty flavors that appeal to all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease and line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch rectangular pan.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Take 1/2 cup of the sifted mixture and dredge the chopped dates in it.
- Set aside the dredged dates.
- Cream the butter until soft and fluffy.
- Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar, and blend well.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Fold in the flour mixture and the dredged dates into the creamed mixture.
- Add the chopped walnuts and stir to blend the batter completely.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Lower the heat to 300°F and continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Cool slightly, then cut into bars.
- Optional: Individually wrap in cellophane.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using brown butter instead of regular butter. If you don't have walnuts, chopped pecans or almonds make great substitutes. Ensure the dates are well-coated in flour to prevent them from sinking in the batter. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for extra warmth. If you'd like a chocolatey twist, try adding some chocolate chips.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are perfect as a sweet snack or dessert and pair beautifully with coffee or tea. For a delightful treat, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of whipped cream. They also make a great addition to dessert platters at gatherings and can be enjoyed with other sweet treats like Mary'S Strawberry Shortcake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them fresher for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks. If you want to freeze them, wrap each bar individually and place them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Food For The Gods contains roughly 456 calories, with 7g protein, 50g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is a good source of protein (14% of the Daily Value), iron (13% of the Daily Value), and calcium (13% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 855mg per serving (37% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried fruit instead of dates?
Yes, you can substitute dried fruits such as apricots or figs for the dates. Just ensure they are pitted and chopped similarly to the dates. This will give your bars a different flavor profile, but they will still be delicious!
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
To check if the bars are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they're ready to be taken out of the oven. The edges should be slightly golden, and the center should be set but still soft.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).