South African Brandy Squares

Submitted by Olha7397

"This is a South African recipe. It is moist and simply delicious with cream. To change the flavour of the dessert, use orange liqueur instead of brandy."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 10

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• BRANDY SYRUP

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 cup brandy

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. NOTE: Creaming of fat and sugar until it resembles whipped cream in colour and texture.
3. Add eggs and beat well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into egg mixture. Fold in the nuts.
5. In small bowl, pour boiling water over dates. Add baking soda and let it bubble. Pour date mixture into batter and mix well.
6. Pour batter into a greased 11 x 9-inch baking dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in tart comes out clean.
7. Meanwhile, to make syrup, in a saucepan combine sugar, water and butter. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, or until syrup is a golden colour.
8. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and brandy. When bubbles disappear, pour syrup over tart just as it comes out of the oven. Serve cold with whipped cream. Serves 10.
9. Impossible Pie.Recipes Compiled By Lucy Waverman for the Hospital For Sick Children Centre.

Reviews

[KerfuffleUponWincle]

Delicious! Because of the brandy, this isn't a dessert that would appeal to children, but I love it! :) I topped mine with 1/2 cup (additional) toasted chopped pecans, after pouring on the hot brandy syrup. I forgot the whipped cream, but tomorrow, I'll buy some! :) Tagged for African Recipe Fun, January/February 2010.