(Edited Nov 26, 2017)

  These are the number 2 of my holiday favourites but I love dates – I remember many a Christmas that my mom has made these.  Mum says this recipe originated with Teresa but Teresa had no memory of that.  My Memere made these, Mum makes them and now I do.

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
a few grains of salt
2 1/2 cups dessicated coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts (she uses walnuts)
1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino or glazed cherries
1 cup chopped dates
butter icing
1 to 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate (optional)

Combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt together.   Place coconut, dates, nuts and cherries in a food process and pulse until well mixed.  Spoon into an 8x8x2 inch pan which has been greased, lined with parchment and greased again. (IMPORTANT: do not skip this step or you will need a chisel to get the base out of the pan.) Bake in a moderate oven (350F) for 30 minutes. Cool on a rack for 3 minutes then remove from pan; gently remove parchment. Cool. Cover with butter icing and chill. Drizzle melted chocolate over bars if desired. Cut into squares.

Stored in the freezer, these keep for three months if they last that long.