Gramma's Chinese Chews

Transport your taste buds to nostalgic bliss with "Gramma's Chinese Chews," a timeless treat that balances chewy, date-filled sweetness with the earthy crunch of walnuts or pecans. Perfect for holidays or afternoon snacks, this vintage recipe combines a rich, caramel-like date mixture with airy, whisked eggs for a uniquely tender texture. Subtly flavored with vanilla and dusted with optional powdered sugar, these golden-brown squares are baked to perfection in just 25 minutes. Quick to prepare and utterly satisfying, these confections are a crowd-pleaser for all occasions. Pair them with a cup of tea or coffee, and savor every bite of this homemade, old-fashioned delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the pitted dates, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Stir constantly until the dates soften and the mixture becomes a thick paste-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs until light and frothy. Slowly add the slightly cooled date mixture into the eggs, stirring constantly to avoid scrambling.

Step 4

Sift the all-purpose flour and baking powder into the wet mixture. Add the vanilla extract and mix until just combined.

Step 5

Fold in the chopped walnuts (or pecans) to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.

Step 6

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out into an even layer with a spatula.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and let the Chinese chews cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.

Step 9

Once cooled, cut into small squares or rectangles. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar for a decorative touch before serving.

Step 10

Store leftover chews in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(799.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2886.6

Total Fat 99.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 496mg	0%
Sodium 601.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 499.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.3g	0%
Total Sugars 377.4g
Protein 39.1g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 278.5mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 2208.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.4%

Protein: 5.1%

Carbs: 65.5%