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–+ servings

Chinese Chews

Chinese Chews are dense, chewy date bars with crunchy walnuts and a soft powdered sugar coating. This old-fashioned treat is simple to make with pantry staples and perfect for cookie tins, holidays, or make-ahead desserts.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 servings
Calories 113 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped dates chopped small
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling, plus a little extra if needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8x8-inch metal baking dish, making sure to grease the corners well.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  • Stir the chopped dates and walnuts into the dry ingredients until they are coated and evenly distributed.
  • Add the eggs and stir until no dry spots remain; the batter will be very thick, so keep stirring until it comes together.
  • Transfer the thick batter to the prepared baking dish and spread it out as evenly as possible with the back of a spoon.
  • Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, watching closely toward the end, until the chews look set but are not dry, dark, or overbaked around the edges.
  • Let the pan cool for 10 minutes so the chews are still warm enough to shape.
  • Slice the warm chews into small rectangles, then gently roll each piece between your hands to compress it into a little log shape.
  • Roll each warm chew in powdered sugar until coated all over, then set them aside to cool completely.
  • Store the fully cooled Chinese Chews in an airtight container, avoiding stacking them while they are still warm.

Notes

Once completely cool, keep Chinese Chews in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. For larger batches, separate layers with wax paper. They also freeze well in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers; thaw at room temperature. Do not reheat, as they are meant to be chewy and soft at room temperature. If the powdered sugar soaks in after a day or two, give them a very light second roll before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal
Keyword Chewy Cookies, Chinese Chews, date bars, powdered sugar, vintage dessert, walnut date bars
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