Ang Sarap (A Tagalog word for "It's Delicious")

I am not sure about the history of this dish or where it did originated but I guess I know where the name come from, give it a shot and I guess you will know it too. This baked desert is made out of dates and walnuts mixed in a fluffy buttery dough, the texture is simply phenomenal think of it as a cross between a moist butterscotch crossed with crumby cookie. It is popular during the Christmas season in the Philippines, similar to the American fruit cake.

Food for the Gods origin like I said is unknown but since most of our dishes are of Spanish in origin it might suggest that this amazing desert have its roots from a Spanish bread called “pan de datil” which contains the same main ingredients. Name might have been changed during the American colonization and since dates and walnuts are quite expensive in my home country it was referred to as “Food for the Gods” denoting lavish ingredients meant for “the Gods” which can also denote to rich people or those on higher authority.

There are also some food items that are called “Food for the Gods”, like in the Greek mythology there is this food called ambrosia which is a honey-flavoured food eaten by the gods that allowed them to remain immortal, in modern times ambrosia is also referred to the “Food for the Gods” and it is made out of different fruits and cream. The Aztecs and the Mayans also believed that cocoa was a gift from the gods hence chocolate was regarded as “Food for the Gods”. Having said that, though all of these have no ingredients in common they all taste heavenly like this Filipino treat so I suggest give it a shot and let you taste buds explain it for you.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups flour
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup butter, cubed in room temperature
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 pcs eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Method

1. In a bowl cream butter using mixer, once texture is fluffy gradually add sugar while mixing.
2. Add the eggs and continue to mix until even in consistency.
3. In a separate bowl combine together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture in the mixing bowl and continue mixing.
4. Add the dates and walnuts and mix in low speed just until everything is evenly distributed.
5. Place mixture in a baking tray then bake in a 180C preheated oven for 10 minutes, bring down heat to 150C then bake continue to bake for 35-40 more minutes.
6. Remove from oven then let it cool down prior to serving.