Date coconut bars
If you happen to be visiting someone in Beirut, chances are you will be served this; its rich, sweet and smooth taste belies its utter simplicity. A dear friend Yola Oudaimy (her son is my daughter’s boyfriend) offered me a tray one time; had to have it, over and over again; especially with cardamom-flavored Turkish coffee.
Only three ingredients are needed, dates, butter and plain cookies; a flavoring of orange blossom water or any other of your choice; a thin coating of grated coconut.
INGREDIENTS:
- One pound of pitted dates or a date cake (can use less or more, adjust the other proportions)
- 4 ounces or one stick of unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon of orange blossom water (or another flavoring)
- 1 box of LU cookies or any plain cookies such as Ghandour tea cookies, about 8 ounces
- 1/2 cup of shredded coconut
METHOD:
- Cut the plain cookies in small pieces. Set aside.
- Process the dates until pasty and softer; add the butter gradually to obtain a soft paste; add the orange blossom water and mix well.
- Grease a tray; dump the date mixture in a bowl and incorporate the chopped cookies until they are well mixed.
- Transfer the date and cookie mixture into the tray and place a large piece if plastic wrap on it to avoid getting your fingers sticky; start flatten it the mixture all over, trying to keep it as even as possible.
- When it is flattened all over, sprinkle some coconut on the top; refrigerate until serving time.
- To serve, cut in losanges by drawing parallel lines and crisscrossing them.
Comments
38 Comments • Comments Feed
Anita says:
Love date cookies… I like to make them with walnuts instead of the biscuits, you know me and the crunch! By the way, thanks for your daily posts, I feel like I’m vacationing in Beirut too 🙂
On July 15, 2010 at 7:45 am
Angie's Recipes says:
These must be very good with all the great ingredients.
On July 15, 2010 at 7:59 am
Stella says:
Hey Joumana, I’ve had something very similar to this before, and it is so simple yet wonderful. I never knew one uses already made cookies for this easy treat-that’s neat!
On July 15, 2010 at 8:48 am
SYLVIA says:
Lovely dessert, easy to make doesn’t need baking at all, and burst of sweetness in every bite, the coconut coating is the perfect outfit for the date. They’re great for snack, or breakfast, I wish everything in life was this easy.
On July 15, 2010 at 9:11 am
Susan says:
I love the traditional date bars that have been made in our family for years with a crumb crust made with oats and brown sugar but these sound like a delightful variation with the cookies mixed into the dates. And no baking? Perfect for summer! I am going to try making these.
On July 15, 2010 at 9:14 am
Rosa says:
A great recipe! I love the addition of cookies.
cheers,
Rosa
On July 15, 2010 at 9:15 am
Ivy says:
Wow, these sound amazing. We make something similar with chocolate, butter, biscuits and nuts but never thought of using dates.
On July 15, 2010 at 9:24 am
Sushma Mallya says:
That looks so delicious…
On July 15, 2010 at 9:40 am
lisa says:
Delicious — I love dates and these look so easy to make. Do you think they would come out well if I used gluten free cookies?
On July 15, 2010 at 9:56 am
Joumana says:
@Lisa: sure!
On July 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Antonella says:
Joumana, it’s always nice to come back on your Taste of Beirut. Great recipes and dishes aside, it’s a perfect way to travel across Lebanon (if you can’t really travel, I mean).
Ciao!
On July 15, 2010 at 10:08 am
Cherine says:
Those are addictive!
On July 15, 2010 at 10:13 am
T.W. Barritt says:
I love these “no bake” cookies with so much flavor – and I can see how these rich flavors would be a wonderful complement to strong, flavorful coffee.
On July 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
Priya says:
Cute and healthy losanges, feel like grabbing some..
On July 15, 2010 at 11:44 am
Barbara says:
Gosh, my dad would have loved these. I was forever making him date desserts! Looks easy to make and very delicious, Joumana!
On July 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
Suman Singh says:
Lovely..looks wonderful..feel like grabbing some…
On July 15, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Katerina says:
It is simple yet it must be delicious.
On July 15, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Bria @ WestofPersia says:
These look amazing. Iove them and now you’ve shown us how to make them. Hooray!
On July 15, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Doc says:
Lovely, I supoose saying that this dish is makes a heckuva date would just not be punny.
On July 15, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Louise says:
No bake cookies in the summertime are simply the best! However, nutritious, no bake nuggets with a cup of deep flavorful coffee, just sends me!!!
Thanks for sharing Joumana…
On July 15, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Sommer says:
Oh, that sounds like something I would never get tired of! And so simple! Thanks for sharing!
On July 15, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Katie @Cozydelicious says:
What a perfect afternoon treat. I love dates and can almost taste your cardamom coffee! I wonder if these little gems might be nice individually wrapped in wax paper and packed up in a cute jar as a hostess gift.
On July 15, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Eve@CheapEthnicEatz says:
Like candy. Fruit and butter with cookies. Wonder if it would work too with dried figs
On July 15, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Esther Cervantes says:
That looks scrumptious! And I’ll second Antonella’s thanks for the vicarious tour of Lebanon.
On July 15, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Sarah Galvin (All Our Fingers in the Pie) says:
These look really good. So simple, too.
On July 15, 2010 at 10:02 pm
LiLy says:
So delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
I just have a question, can you keep it in the refrigerator? And for how long?
On July 15, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Azita says:
I love dates and these date cookies look wonderful and delicious. I can’t wait to make them soon. Thanks.
On July 15, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Mimi says:
I was served these once and there were so delicious. Now I know how to make them.
Mimi
On July 15, 2010 at 11:01 pm
nisha says:
been a while since i dropped by and oh my i missed so many posts…will catch up soon 🙂
On July 16, 2010 at 3:45 am
PJ says:
I love these!!The best part is they need no cooking.I am going to try it right away…
On July 16, 2010 at 6:11 am
Anh says:
What an amazing recipe! Ramadan is coming, and there will be a lot of good quality dates around my area. I will remember this!
On July 16, 2010 at 6:47 am
Mathai says:
Very simple recipe! thanks for sharing 🙂
On July 16, 2010 at 12:29 pm
grace says:
these are so simple and straightforward yet so clearly delicious. i love the addition of coconut. 🙂
On July 16, 2010 at 2:54 pm
tom tall clover farm says:
I love this recipe and then I saw the one for date bars and Saudi date cookies. I’m in heaven!
On July 16, 2010 at 4:20 pm
FOODESSA says:
These goodies are right up my alley. Besides figs, dried dates are a real treat for me.
Now, concocted in this dessert…it’s a bonus ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
On July 16, 2010 at 7:05 pm
The Gypsy Chef says:
Joumana, These sound wonderful. I even have all the ingredients.
On July 18, 2010 at 12:01 am
Julie says:
Cette recette m’a l’air parfaite pour une petite pause café de l’après-midi!
Merci de ton partage! Bises
On July 18, 2010 at 4:40 am
henia says:
These remind me of mosaic cakes or bars … very nice using dates. I will try this out during Ramadan Joumana thanks for sharing!
On August 7, 2010 at 4:16 pm