Date and ginger oat slices
These nutritious, oaty slices with dates for a vibrant burst of colour and flavour are a perfect lunchbox treat
SERVES
12
PEOPLE
PREP TIME
10
MINUTES
COOKING TIME
40
MINUTES
Ingredients
320ml water
260g dates, stones removed
175g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
140g light muscovado sugar
2 tsp powdered ginger
100g porridge oats
175g butter, cubed
50g crystallised ginger, finely chopped
Method
Heat the oven to 180°C and line a 10-inch square cake tin with parchment.
Place water and chopped dates into a saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is soft and thick, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the sugar, half of the ginger and oats, and mix well.
Add the butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs.
Press half the mixture into the base of the lined tin and smooth it out then spread the cooled date mixture on top and smooth this out too. Sprinkle with the crystallised ginger. Spread the remaining oat mixture on top and press down gently with your hands. Sprinkle the rest of the powdered ginger over the top.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool in the tin then slice it up.
