Orange date and chocolate slice

ingredients

• Orange date and chocolate slice

  • 125 gram butter, chopped, at room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup self-raising flour
  • 1/2 cup plain flour
  • 1 cup dates, chopped, dried, pitted
  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/3 cup dark choc bits
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

• Cream cheese icing

  • 250 gram cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut, toasted

method

• Orange, date and chocolate slice

  • 1

    Preheat oven to moderate 180°C. Lightly grease a 20cm x 30cm slice pan. Line base and two long sides with baking paper.

  • 2

    In a medium bowl, using an electric beater, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

  • 3

    Fold sifted flours, dates, juice, choc bits, walnuts and zest through, until combined. Spoon into prepared pan, smoothing top.

  • 4

    Bake for 35-40 minutes, until cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

  • 5

    To make cream cheese icing, in a small bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and icing sugar together until smooth. Stir zest through. Spread over cooled slice and sprinkle with toasted coconut.

  • 6

    Serve cut into squares.