No-Bake Date Slice

A no-bake date slice is ubiquitous with the South African soap 7de Laan, in which one of the characters Tannie Hilda seems to always be making Dadelvingers. So I knew I needed to add a dadelvinger recipe to Salty Ginge. But I also knew that I was looking for a smaller egg-free recipe.

This no-bake date slice or date squares or dadelvingers (date fingers) is a shoutout to my South African heritage and culture, in which food plays a large role. However, I feel that I also need to acknowledge the number of South African shows I watched growing up that showcase certain parts of our Heritage such as Egoli, 7de Laan, and perhaps my favourite as a teen - Isidingo.

Why You Will Love This No-Bake Date Slice

• This is a super easy no-bake recipe that comes together in 30 minutes.
• You are only 7 ingredients away from a delicious dessert or afternoon snack.
• Dates are delicious! Even more so in this tasty date slice!
• Dates are high in fibre and full of antioxidants.

Ingredients

Here are some notes on the ingredients used in this recipe. Please see the recipe card for quantities.

Butter adds flavour, softness, and moisture. I use New Zealand butter in my recipes, which has approximately 82% butterfat and can be very yellow (similar to European or Irish butter). Butter cannot be substituted with butter or margarine spreads, but it can be replaced with baking margarine.

Salt is a crucial ingredient in all baked goods. I use table salt in all my recipes. One teaspoon of table salt equals 1.5 teaspoons of Morton Kosher Salt equals 2 teaspoons of Diamond Crystal. Salt adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the slice.

Pitted and finely sliced dates give this date slice its flavour, stickiness and oh-so-good gooeyness. Fresh dates or packaged dates can be used in this recipe. Regular or Medjool dates can be used in this recipe.

Marie biscuits are traditionally used in this recipe. Great alternatives include plain vanilla wine biscuits (my go-to plain biscuit in New Zealand is the Vanilla Wine), Krispie, or Tennis biscuits. A plain, sweet, preferably vanilla-flavoured biscuit. Alternatively, the Marie biscuits can be replaced with rice Krispies, approximately 2 cups of rice Krispies (add more if you feel that the slice can take more rice Krispies).

Desiccated Coconut - this is a finely shredded or flaked dried coconut that is usually not sweetened. And may also be known as unsweetened desiccated or macaroon coconut.

Vanilla extract or essence in order to add a nice dimension to the flavour.

Many date slice or dadelvinger recipes also add in Glacé Cherries (candied cherries), I'm not a fan so left them out. If adding candied cherries, I would add about half to a third of a cup.

This recipe can easily be doubled and placed in a 9"x9" cake tin.

How to Make the No-Bake Date Slice or Dadelvingers

Step 1 - Grease and line a loaf tin with baking paper, using the sling method, in which two sides of the parchment are allowed to hang over the edges of the tin.

Step 2 - Finely chop the pitted dates and set them aside. Take note that dates can be very sticky, I find a sharp paring knife the best way to chop the dates. Break or crush the biscuits into chunks, and set them aside.

Step 3 - In a small to medium saucepan, melt the butter and sugar over low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved the butter will have a bit of a thicker texture. Then add the chopped dates, stir and slowly bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes.

Step 4 - Remove the date mixture from the heat, toss in the vanilla and salt, mixing through. Then add in the biscuit chunks and stir through until the biscuits are covered with the date mixture. Cover every biscuit chunk with the date mixture.

Step 5 - Press the warm mixture into the loaf pan, and flatten it out using the back of a spoon or offset spatula. Keep in mind that the mixture is still hot and will transfer heat through any metal.

Step 6 - Sprinkle the coconut over the top, and press the coconut into the top of the mixture. Allow the slice to cool on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes before placing it in the fridge to set for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 7 - Allow the slice (date fingers or Dadelvingers) to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving. This recipe makes about 20 date fingers.

Storage

These date slices should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week (if it lasts that long)

Date Slice (Dadelvingers) FAQ