These are probably my husband’s favourite type of bought biscuit. I must admit I’ve never considered making them for him as I always though they were too difficult. This recipe doesn’t look that hard though so I guess I’ll now have to give them a go.
I have no idea how this got the name ‘Dutch’ tart, it’s one of the mysteries of Mum’s old recipes. It’s made in a swiss roll tin, a tray that has slightly raised edges (about 2 to 3cm deep) and has dimensions of roughly 23 x 33xm, so it’s hardly a tart, more of a slice really, but who can argue with their Mother….
DUTCH TART
Rub 60g butter into 1 cup plain flour. Mix to a stiff paste with milk. Roll out to fit swiss roll tin. Spread with raspberry jam. Top with cake mixture.
Cake mixture: 5 tablespoons butter, ½ cup sugar, 1 cup self raising flour, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon mixed spice, 1 tablespoon chopped dates, 1 tablespoon sultanas, 2 tablespoons walnuts. Cream butter & sugar. Add sifted flour and spices, mix in dried fruits and walnuts and milk. Spread on top of pastry. Bake moderate oven 180o for 30 mins. When cool spread over lemon icing.
Biscuit and slice recipes that don’t require creaming the butter and sugar are always among my favourites. They are that much easier to make and usually use less bowls which equals less washing up, always a good thing. This is a simple recipe for Date Bars although I notice that the method misses out on adding the margarine – I’d just melt it and add it when mixing in the dates and walnuts.
Beb's Recipe Drawer 