DeViLiSh DaTe BrOwNiEs

One black and tempestuous night, with the wind howling and the rain battering down these infernal devils appeared in my mind, teasing and daring me to make them. Immediately bewitched by the thought of demonically dark muscovado sugar, shamelessly syrupy dates and just a dash of rummy rascality, I lumbered zombie-like to the kitchen and began to work on bringing my malevolent little monsters to life. In the cold, sobering light of day I now fear the felonious fiends I have created and it is up to me to destroy them, with my mouth, teeth and tummy...

Prep time: 30 Mins
Baking time: 35 Mins
300g Medjool Dates (As sticky and soft as you can find)
50ml Cold Water
50g Golden Syrup
1tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2tbsp Dark Rum
100g Unsalted Butter (Cold and cut into cubes)
100g Ground Almonds
50g Cocoa Powder
110g Dark Muscovado Sugar
2 Large Eggs (Beaten)

Begin by giving the dates a thorough chopping. Place the dates into a small saucepan, along with the water, syrup, vanilla and rum and bring up to a gentle simmer. Leave to simmer for around five minutes, until the dates have almost melted into the sweetly spiced syrup, then remove from the heat. Add the cold butter and stir through until melted. Leave to one side for 10 minutes to cool slightly.

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3, grease a 21cm square tin and line with baking paper. Add the almonds, cocoa powder and sugar to a large bowl, then tip in the date mixture. Mix together, then add the eggs and beat with vigour until you are left with an evenly combined batter. Spoon the mixture into your prepared tin, level to the edges with the back of a spoon, then bake in the centre of the oven for around 35 minutes, until a metal skewer comes out slightly sticky when inserted into the middle of the baked mixture. Remove from the oven and leave in the tin for 30 minutes, then carefully remove from the tin, peeling off the paper and place on a wire rack until cool (or just warm if that floats your boat). Slice with a sharp knife and serve. MwAh HaH hAh!!!!