Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted chopped dates
- 100 ml Quebec maple syrup
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 pastry shell
Method
- Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain partially.
- Stir in maple syrup and melted butter until a paste forms.
- Spread the date mixture into the pastry shell.
- Bake at 175°C for 20 minutes until edges are crisp.
Conversion and rationale
Original sweetener (classic version): 100 g brown sugar
Conversion used: 100 ml maple syrup; reduced soaking water to prevent soggy crust.
Why Quebec maple syrup: Dates and maple syrup both offer deep caramel notes, enhancing the natural richness.
General rule: 1 cup (250 ml) sugar ≈ 3/4 cup (180 ml) maple syrup; reduce liquids by 45–60 ml per cup of syrup and lower oven by 15 °C. Substitution calculator →