Microwave Chocolate Date Bars Recipe

50 g/2 oz stoned (pitted) dates, chopped
60 ml/4 tbsp boiling water
65 g/2.5 oz butter or margarine, softened
225 g/8 oz/1 cup caster (superfine) sugar
1 egg
100 g/4 oz/1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
10 ml/2 tsp cocoa (unsweetened chocolate) powder
2.5 ml/0.5 tsp baking powder

A pinch of salt
25 g/1 oz chopped mixed nuts

100 g/4 oz/1 cup plain (semi-sweet) chocolate, finely chopped

Method:

Mix the dates with the boiling water and leave to stand until cool. Cream together the butter or margarine with half the sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually work in the egg, then alternately fold in the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and the date mixture. Spoon into a greased and floured 20 cm/8 in square microwave dish. Mix the remaining sugar with the nuts and chocolate and sprinkle over the top, pressing down lightly.  Microwave on High for 8 minutes. Leave to cool in the dish before cutting into squares.