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    Home | Recipes | Bars and Slices

    Published: Sep 24, 2021 · Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Angie Dixon ·

    No-Bake Date Slice

    jump to recipe Pin
    Date fingers on a plate.

    This easy egg-free no-bake date slice comes together in 30 minutes. This delightfully sweet treat is flavoured with dates, biscuits and coconut.

    Date slices on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This No-Bake Date Slice
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make the No-Bake Date Slice or Dadelvingers
    • Storage
    • Date Slice (Dadelvingers) FAQ
    • Rate & Review!
    • Recipe Card
    • Community Comments

    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.

    Date slice ingredients - butter, dates, coconut, biscuits, vanilla and sugar.

    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.

    Date slice from above

    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 3 - Butter melted in saucepan.
    Step 3 - Cooked date mixture.

    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

    Can I make a date slice or date squares without eggs?

    Yes. This recipe is an egg-free date slice recipe. Most recipes will require one or two eggs, but I did not find that the recipe was lacking when made without eggs.

    Can I make Dadelvingers (Date Slices) with Rice Krispies?

    A common variation on the date slice or Dadelvingers is to use rice Krispies instead of biscuits.

    What is Dadelvinger in English?

    It is directly translated to mean Date Finger. Because they are usually served when sliced into fingers or rectangular shapes.

    What does this date slice taste like?

    This date slice has a sweet, date-flavoured

    Can I make this date slice vegan?

    Yes, to make this date slice vegan replace the butter with a vegan baking butter or margarine, and choose vegan biscuits.

    Can I make this date slice Gluten-Free?

    Yes! Simply choose gluten-free biscuits for the filling.

    Sliced date slice on a board.

    Rate & Review!

    If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating! It gives my readers and me helpful feedback. If you want more recipes, subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

    Recipe Card

    Date Slice (Dadelvingers) on a plate.

    No-Bake Date Slice (Dadelvingers)

    Angie Dixon
    This easy egg-free no-bake date slice (Dadelvingers) comes together in 30 minutes. A delightfully sweet treat flavoured with dates and Marie biscuits.
    4.6 from 23 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep time.Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook time.Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Additional Time 3 hours hrs
    Total time.Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins
    CourseCourse Dessert
    CuisineCuisine South African
    Servings 20 squares

    Equipment

    • 1 Loaf Pan (9x5 Inch - 23x13cm)
    • 1 saucepan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 125 grams butter
    • 110 grams white granulated sugar (caster/granulated)
    • 150 grams dates
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon table salt
    • 150 gram Marie biscuits (vanilla wine biscuits)
    • ⅓ cup desiccated coconut
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • 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.
    • Finely chop the pitted dates and set them aside. Break or crush the biscuits into chunks, and set them aside.
      150 grams dates, 150 gram Marie biscuits
    • In a medium to a small saucepan, melt the butter and sugar over low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Then add the chopped dates, stir and slowly bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes.
      125 grams butter, 110 grams white granulated sugar
    • Remove the date mixture from the heat, add in the vanilla and salt, mix through. Add in the biscuit chunks and stir until the biscuits are covered with the date mixture.
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon table salt
    • Press the warm mixture into the loaf pan, flatten out using the back of a spoon or offset spatula.
      ⅓ cup desiccated coconut
    • Sprinkle the coconut over the top, and press the coconut into the top of the mixture. Allow cooling on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes before placing in the fridge to set for 3 to 4 hours.
    • Allow the slice (Date Fingers or Dadelvingers) to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Notes

    Many date slice or dadelvinger recipes also add in Glacé Cherries (candied cherries),if adding candied cherries, I would add about half to a third a cup.
    Marie biscuits are traditionally used in this recipe. Great alternatives include plain vanilla wine biscuits, 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).
    This recipe can easily be doubled and placed in a 9"x9" cake tin.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 138mg

    Nutrition information is an estimate. If scaling the recipe remember to scale your cook and bakeware accordingly. All temperatures stated are conventional, unless otherwise stated. Recipes tested in grams and at sea level.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Date and Walnut Cake
    Cinnamon Roll Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lauren says

      May 19, 2024 at 10:48 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        May 20, 2024 at 9:03 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Ruth says

      April 06, 2024 at 8:39 am

      I've made these once and they came out perfect! However when I made them today, after cooling they were extremely hard - I could barely cut into them. Do you know where I could have gone wrong? The butter, sugar and Date mixture looked as if it had separated.

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        April 06, 2024 at 9:01 am

        Hi, the only thing I can think is that the mixture was cooked a touch too long which created a sort-of caramel that split when cooling down.

        Reply
    3. Mehjabeen says

      August 01, 2023 at 4:43 am

      Hi I was wondering if u have more simple recipes anything biscuits or anything

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        August 01, 2023 at 9:48 am

        Hi,
        I would say most of my recipes are fairly simple. You can browse through my recipe index to see what catches your eye.

        Reply
    4. Mehjabeen says

      July 27, 2023 at 11:53 pm

      Hi thanx i must say its tooooo yum , i did use recipe as is 125g butter with 110g sugar and i never used salt an i used the 150 g dates however i only had tennis on hand so thats what i used its 200g tenis an another thing, can i keep in the fridge after its firm/ set ? I could not make out if you kept your in the fridge just to get firm or it needs the fridge

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        July 28, 2023 at 9:08 am

        Glad you like them!

        These date slices should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a week.

        Reply
    5. Mehjabeen says

      July 27, 2023 at 9:17 am

      Hi did you get my messages

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        July 27, 2023 at 9:37 am

        Hi, I did. But I do live in New Zealand, and only check on my comments, etc after 9am NZT.

        Reply
    6. Mehjabeen says

      July 27, 2023 at 5:01 am

      Thanx soooo much for letting me know, I love dates so il definitely make an I got dates which I need to use up , so therefore I wanted to know do I double each ingredient, I mean I got 434g dates so would I double each item or is it possible to just use my full dates and your quantities as is

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        July 27, 2023 at 9:37 am

        Hi,

        434 grams according to my recipe card is almost a 3x batch if you want to use all the dates at once. However, I would try out a single batch first, make sure you like it before committing the whole quantity.

        From there I would decide if I wanted to then make a double batch with the rest of the dates or start experimenting with the date quantity. I do not know how the slice will turn out if you just do a double batch with the 434g of dates, or if you use a single batch with the 434g dates. Good luck!

        Reply
        • Dusty Ricketts says

          September 26, 2023 at 8:58 am

          Hi Mary Lou,
          I have used your recipe as my grand children just relish eating the finished product.
          So, I can also confirm that I'm not one for making the same thing over and over again. Therefore I have adjusted your recipe to make enough dadelvingers that will last a few weeks depending again on whose eating them.
          All that I've done is increased the ingredients all the way through by taking the amount of dates I use say 1.2kg which is 8 times the amount of your recipe and apply this number (8) to all the ingredients. So butter for example that I need would be 1kg and Biscuits would also be 1.2kg etc.
          The only ingredient I change is the sugar from white to dark brown sugar and the amount (which would be 880gms) I reduce this to about 500/600gms. I don't believe it makes any difference to the outcome as this is dependent on one's lifestyle and intake of sugar products. Of course one does need a bigger dish to accommodate the increased ingredients. The date slices are very delicious and thank you once again for a simple and easy recipe. 😁

          Reply
          • Mary-Lou Watkins says

            September 26, 2023 at 9:17 am

            Hi Dusty,
            Thank you for the kind comment! I'm so glad your family is enjoying the recipe.

            I'm also impressed at 8X batch you have made. With regards to the decrease in sugar, I'm definitely going to test that out and add to the recipe notes for a reduced sugar batch. I'm also going to test out brown sugar. Thank you so much for letting me know.

            ML

            Reply
    7. Mehjabeen says

      July 26, 2023 at 6:15 am

      Hi I'm not a fan of coconut so wat would b a substitute?

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        July 26, 2023 at 8:34 am

        You can just leave it out.

        Reply
    8. Amelia Naidoo says

      April 04, 2022 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      I have made these a few times already and it turns out amazing! I have even shared this recipe with colleagues who have tried a date finger.

      Reply
      • Mary-Lou says

        April 05, 2022 at 8:15 am

        Hi Amelia,

        Thank you so much for your kind words, it means the world to me! I'm so happy they came out amazing. And thank-you for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂

        Best regards,
        Mary-Lou

        Reply

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