Food for the Gods

Food for the Gods is basically like a blonde brownie, or like a brownie flavored with brown sugar (instead of chocolate) and with dates and walnuts. 

They are made just like a brownie,  baked in a greased and floured square pan and cut into squares.

The brown sugar, chopped dates and walnuts gives it that interesting chewy texture.

The original recipe tasted too plain for me so I added a little bit of cinnamon powder, but just a personal preference. You could put vanilla, instead.

I chop the dates and walnuts before measuring them, as they will not be a lot less and you would hardly be able to taste them if they are first measured whole, then chopped.

Also, in baking, the brown sugar is always measured packed and not loose, unless specified.

This recipe is so easy to make -- manual mixing with a wire whisk will give the same result.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Butter (melted)
• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs

• 1 cup All-purpose Flour
  
• 1/4 teaspoon Double-Acting Baking Powder
• 1/8 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon powder (optional)
• 3/4 cup Pitted Dates, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped

8 x 8 Pyrex or Aluminum pan, greased and floured

How to Make

Pre-heat oven at 350°F or ~177°-180°C;

1 Melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar. Whisk in the eggs until fully incorporated.

2 Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3 Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix thoroughly.

4 Fold in the walnuts and dates.

5 Pour into a 8 x 8 greased pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or use doneness test below to check.

To test for cake doneness, use a toothpick or a thin bamboo skewer and insert it into the center of the cake.  If it comes out clean,  the cake is done. 
Another way is to lightly tap the top center of the cake.  If top is firm, solid and springs back to form,  the cake is done.

TIPS

• If you're not into anything with cinnamon, you could try Almond extract, or Lemon flavor extract or plain vanilla extract.
• Chopping dates is made easy by adding some of the flour from the recipe onto the chopping board or food processor to prevent them from sticking together.
• Buy baking powder that says 'Double Acting' on the can. This ensures your cupcake rises properly during baking.
• As holiday gifts, you could wrap them individually in aluminum foils, then in colored cellophane.
• Can you make them ahead?  Yes,  bake up to a week in advance, but freeze them in a well sealed ziplock bag once cooled.  Take out of the freezer into the refrigerator to thaw overnight or up to 2 days and place on the countertop to let it come up to room temperature before serving or packing.
• What can you serve with?  They're perfect with hot coffee or tea,  or microwave before serving and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  

Other Recipes to Try

Buko Pandan

Carbonara

Ubod Lumpia