Mordecai's Date Slices

Please Remember: Kitchens are dangerous places full of sharp implements and high temperatures. You should always have an adult with you when you are cooking. Do not try to make Mordecai's Date Slices without the full permission and close supervision of an adult (preferably with one of your parents). Always take care around sharp knives and hot liquids. Concentrate on what you are doing and have fun!

Unlike Hamantaschen and Queen Esther's Poppy Seed Cookies, Mordecai's Date Slices are only a traditional Purim recipe in our family! We love making and eating these and enjoy serving them at our Purim Parties. Beautiful dates grow in Israel, which was Mordecai and Esther's true home, so we make these to remind us of Mordecai.


Ingredients:


To make Mordecai's Date Slices:
  • Measure butter or margarine, sugar, honey and dates out carefully. It is important to be accurate.
  • Carefully cut the dates up into small pieces using a sharp knife and chopping board, or kitchen scissors.
  • Put the butter or margarine, sugar, honey and dates into a saucepan.
  • Carefully turn one of the cooker rings on. Bring date mixture to boil over a medium heat.
  • When bubbling, cook date mixture for five minutes, stirring constantly to mix well and avoid burning. Be careful of the date mixture spitting and fizzling.
  • Remove date mixture from heat. The mixture should now be all soft. The dates probably will not be totally dissolved into the hot liquid. Don't worry about this!
  • Turn the cooker ring off.
  • Put the date mixture on one side to cool slightly.
  • Measure out the 'Rice Crispies' and dessicated coconut into a large bowl. It is important to be accurate - too many 'Rice Crispies' will unbalance the recipe! Toss the Rice 'Crispies' and dessicated coconut together.
  • Pour the date mix into the 'Rice Crispies' and stir together very well. It will look as if there is not enough date mixture, but don't worry.
  • Continue to stir the date mix and the 'Rice Crispies' together, using your hands as well as a spoon if the date mixture is cool enough for you to do so. Careful not to squish the 'Rice Crispies' too much!
  • Line a shallow cake tin with foil and tip date and rice mix into it. Smooth down and then pack date and rice mix tightly down with a fork.
  • Put Mordecai's Date Slices into the 'fridge to set.
  • When they are chilled and set, turn Mordecai's Date Slices onto a clean work surface and carefully use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Mordecai's Date Slices are very hard, so take special care while cutting them up not to cut yourself.
  • Enjoy eating Mordecai's Date Slices over Purim!

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