Chinese Chews - a very old recipe for a traditionally southern Christmas bar cookie featuring nuts and dates.
We're having a vintage-y kind of Christmas around here! First I made some Graham Cookie Bars, then Haystacks, and now this old, old recipe for Chinese Chews.
I remember my mother and grandmother making Chinese Chews every Christmas when I was a girl. They were and still are a tradition.
I did some searching on the internet for the origin of this recipe and it seems to have first appeared in the early 1900s. However, no one really knows why they're called Chinese Chews. There's nothing particularly Chinese about them.
Maybe back in that time, the dates seemed exotic and anything exotic was perhaps associated with the Far East? I dunno.
What I do know is that these little bar cookies are very delicious. And they're another recipe that has firmly withstood the test of time.
How to Make Chinese Chews
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Generously butter an 8x8 pan and set it aside.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, dates, salt, and nuts. I used walnuts this time, but I really prefer pecans. They just have a richer taste, in my opinion.
Add the eggs and, using a sturdy wooden spoon, stir until the eggs are incorporated. It takes a little effort :-)
Now spread the mixture into the pan you prepared at the beginning.
Bake for about 30 minutes and check for doneness. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean.
Let the pan cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then turn the whole thing out and cut it into small pieces. You want them to be about 1 to 1 ½ inches square.
Dust with powdered sugar.
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Chinese Chews
Ingredients
- ¾ cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup chopped dates
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 eggs
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8x8 pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking, powder, dates, salt, and nuts. Add eggs. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Spread into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan, cut into small squares and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
[email protected] says
Wow, I haven't thought of these (or had them for that matter) in ages!! So glad you posted these - with all the new cookie creations on the web, its refreshing to see the old tried and true recipes !!!
Lana says
Thanks, Nancy. I truly enjoy keeping the old recipes alive.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
These look really yummy, Lana! Love the addition of chopped dates... great holiday sweet!
Sandra says
My mother used to make this recipe all the time!!!! She passed away in 1997, and being the dolt that I can be at time, I never asked Mum for the recipe!!! Thank you so much for taking a culinary trip down memory lane!!!!
Miss P says
Make some for Polly. She loves them.
Miss P
Lana says
I know! I thought about that the whole time I was making them.
Rosemary says
Pardon the typo . . . dimension!!! lol
Rosemary says
Thanks soo much, Lana! Have searched my beloved Mother's recipe box repeatedly for this very recipe. Reminds me so very much of Christmas and her! You have definitely brought another demension to my world.
Lana says
I hope you'll make them and enjoy them, Rosie!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
One of my very favorite bars, Lana! Love these!!!
Lana says
Thanks, Robyn. I really enjoy keeping these old, traditional recipes alive. I saw your post for Chinese Chews so I know you must feel the same :-)
Cookin' Canuck says
I don't think I've ever tried Chinese chews, but I must say they look really, really good. And I love the simplicity of the recipe!
Lana says
I think you'd enjoy these, Dara. It's one of those really quick and easy recipes which is so great for this busy time of year.
Kay says
Might just find the courage to make them with J-man. You know how I am about baking :)
Kay says
They look great! And I don't even like sweet stuff.
Lana says
Thanks, Kay! They're a really old-fashioned bar cookie that I remember having every Christmas when growing up. I hadn't thought about them in a long time but I'm glad I did!