Date and Walnut Hedgehog

Something new for supper at the knitting group, or at least I don't think that I have made it  for them before. It is very similar to the traditional hedgehog slice, however, this one has no cocoa and a thick cooked date mixture binds the Marie biscuits.

The ladies in my knitting group seem to enjoy chocolate so this one got the chocolate topping, mostly I just use the coconut topping.

Date and Walnut Hedgehog

250 g dates, chopped 125 g butter 2/3 cup caster sugar 1 egg ½ cup walnuts 1/3 cup dessicated coconut 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 packet Marie biscuits, broken into smallish pieces Optional Zest of 1 orange

To Decorate ChocolateTopping 60 g butter 1 large block dark chocolate (I use 200 g block dark chocolate) Coconut Topping 1/3 - 1/2 cup dessicated coconut

Method

Cover dates with a little boiling water and allow to soften.

Combine dates, sugar and butter and cook over low heat until butter has melted and dates have become mushy. Stir often, allowing most of the water to evaporate. The mixture should be thick. I blitz with a stick blender to make a sludgy date mixture.

Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Add vanilla, orange zest if using, walnuts, coconut and egg, mix well.

Add broken biscuits, smashing any large pieces as your stir it.

Press mixture into a greased and lined slice tin. Cover with topping and refrigerate.

For the coconut topping

Sprinkle slice with coconut, press down gently and refrigerate.

Cut into small squares or fingers and place in an airtight container. Store slice in the fridge.

For the chocolate topping

Melt butter and chocolate together. I use the microwave on medium heat and 1 minute intervals.

Pour the chocolate topping over the slice and refrigerate until set.

Cut into small squares or fingers and place in an airtight container. Store slice in the fridge.