Whether it's a picnic, backyard barbecue or camping trip, summer means plenty of al fresco dining. And that means desserts need to be outdoorsy as well.
The best sweets for going au natural are ones that require the fewest plates or utensils and involve little or no cleanup. Think cookies, brownies and bars. These date and nut squares with an espresso drizzle can be made ahead and packed in a lightweight plastic container for portability.
Instant espresso is used to flavour both the squares and the drizzle. Look for it with other instant coffees or consider using one of new higher-quality instant coffees being sold in individual serving packets.
Date and Nut Squares With Espresso Drizzle Start to finish: 50 minutes (15 minutes active) Squares 10 ml (2 tsp) instant espresso or coffee 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla extract 175 ml (3/4 cup) granulated sugar.
2 large eggs
1 egg white
1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt
500 ml (2 cups) fine graham cracker crumbs
150 ml (2/3 cup) chopped dates
125 ml (1/2 cup) chopped pecans
Glaze
2 ml (1/2 tsp) instant espresso or coffee
15 ml (1 tbsp) hot water
125 ml (1/2 cup) powdered sugar, more if needed
Heat oven to 150 C (300 F). Coat a 18-by-28-cm (7-by-11-inch) baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together espresso powder and vanilla until powder dissolves. Add sugar, eggs, egg white and salt, then use an electric mixer on high to beat until thick and pale, about 2 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold in graham cracker crumbs, dates and pecans until just combined.
Scrape batter into prepared baking pan and smooth top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top feels dry and the bars feel set when pressed at the centre.
Transfer dish to a rack to cool completely.
Glaze: In a small bowl, dissolve espresso powder in hot water. Whisk in enough powdered sugar to make a thick but pourable glaze. With a spoon, drizzle glaze over bars. Let stand until set, then cut into 15 squares.
Makes 15 servings.
Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 148 calories; 40 calories from fat; 5 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 24 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 2 g protein; 1 g fibre; 113 mg sodium.