Krispy Date Slice
Krispy Date Slice is a simple tray bake made with a chewy, buttery date base mixed with rice crispies and topped with smooth milk chocolate. An easy, no-fuss slice that’s perfect for sharing.
Dates seem to have had a real jump in popularity in recent years… the dried fruit, that is. You’ll find them in all sorts of breakfast bars and “healthy” snacks, which makes sense given their natural sweetness and all those supposed health benefits.
But let’s be honest – healthy isn’t quite the word you’d use to describe this Krispy Date Slice. Delicious, though? Absolutely.
What I love about dates is how surprisingly tasty they are, despite not looking all that appealing at first glance. Put a couple in front of the kids, and they’ll turn their noses up straight away. But bake them into something like a Sticky Toffee Pudding, and suddenly they can’t get enough.
This Krispy Date Slice is much the same. The dates cook down into a soft, sticky base with that familiar toffee-like flavour, then get mixed through with rice crispies for a texture that’s both chewy and crunchy.
Finished with a thick layer of milk chocolate on top, it’s a simple, quick tray bake that’s easy to make and even easier to slice up and share.
Top Tips for Krispy Date Slice:
• Don’t Worry About Separation: If your butter/margarine looks oily and separates while melting with the dates, don’t worry. Some brands do this – it will come back together once the Rice Crispies are mixed in.
• Chop the Dates Evenly: Try to keep your dates roughly the same size when chopping. This helps them soften evenly and gives a better texture throughout the slice.
• Keep the Heat Gentle: When melting the dates, sugar and butter/margarine, keep the heat low to medium and stir continuously. Too much heat can catch the mixture and affect the flavour.
• Work Quickly with the Mixture: Once the rice crispies are added, transfer the mixture to your tin and press it down straight away. It will start to firm up quickly as it cools.
• Press Firmly into the Tin: Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly into the corners of your tin. This helps the slice hold together properly when cut.
• Smooth the Chocolate Evenly: When adding the melted chocolate, spread it right into the corners for an even layer. A slight tap of the tin on the counter can also help level it out.
• Score Before Slicing: Remove your traybake from the fridge for 10-15 minutes before cutting. Lightly score the chocolate into your desired portions first, then cut right through to help prevent the chocolate from cracking.
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Krispy Date Slice
INGREDIENTS
- 225 g Dried Pitted Dates (chopped)
- 115 g Caster Sugar (Superfine Sugar)
- 115 g Butter or Block Margarine
- 115 g Rice Crispies
- 150 g Milk Chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line a 20x20cm (8-inch) baking tin with greaseproof paper. Set aside.
- In large pan, warm the dates, sugar and butter/margarine over a low-medium heat. Mix continuously until the dates have softened, the sugar has dissolved and the mixture starts to come together. Bring the mixture to a simmer before removing the pan from the heat.
- Stir in the rice crispies. Working quickly so the mixture doesn't begin to set, transfer to the lined tin and press flat & into the corners.
- Melt the milk chocolate over a bain marie, or in short bursts in a microwave. Pour over the rice crispy base and spread into the corners.
- Leave your date slice to cool a little before transferring it to the fridge to set. Allow to set for 2 hours, or ideally overnight, before slicing to your desired size.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All my recipes are developed using a digital scale and the metric system (grams and millilitres). Cup measurements are available as a conversion but these, unfortunately, won’t always be as accurate. For best results, I always recommend baking with a digital scale.
NOTES:
Storage:
Store your Krispy Date Slice in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is particularly hot, you may want to keep it in the firdge. If chilled, allow it to sit at room temperature for a short while before serving for the best texture.Freezing:
This slice freezes well. Once set, cut into squares and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.Substitutions:
- Chocolate: Milk chocolate can be swapped for dark or white chocolate, depending on your preference.
Free-from & Vegan:
Nut-free: There are no nuts in this recipe for Krispy Date Slice; however, be sure to check your individual ingredients thoroughly for any nuts. Particularly the rice crispies and the dates, as these may be at higher risk of cross-contamination.
Gluten-free: Simply make sure your rice crispies are gluten-free, and double-check the other ingredients to be safe.
Egg-free: There are no eggs in this recipe, but again, be sure to check your ingredients individually.
Dairy-free: To make this recipe dairy-free, simply use a dairy-free margarine and a dairy-free chocolate.
Vegan: To make this a Vegan Krispy Date Slice, simply use a dairy-free vegan margarine and a dairy-free vegan chocolate.
N.B. Any advice or suggestions to make recipes “free-from” or vegan are purely that – suggestions. Please be careful to double-check all ingredients individually, taking extra caution when serving to those with allergies & intolerances.
For more info on common food allergies, please see food.gov.uk | For more info on coeliac disease, please see coeliac.org.uk | For more info on a vegan diet, please see vegansociety.com
Hi,
Made this traybake this week and went done very well, my granddaughter is a fussy eater but like all children loves a treat did not tell her there was dates in it and she loved it so that was a big plus I think this may be a regular bake for me thank you for a delicious easy recipe
Hi I cannot get dates but managed to get hold of figs does anyone have any helpful info or tips for me
Please I would be so very grateful
Thank you
Tane
You need to make this, so good and so addictive. I only had an 8×8 tin so reduced the Krispies to 85gms but kept everything else as written. They are dangerous, in that, people can’t stop eating them.
They look great!
Can these be made with honey rather than sugar?
How do you cut it neat?