Filling:

1 (10 oz.) pkg. chopped dates or figs
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. water

Cook dates with 1 tablespoon butter, sugar and water on medium heat for about 20 minutes, stir often. Set aside to cool.

Crust:

2 c. cake flour
1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
1/2 c. coconut
pinch of salt
1 c. sugar
4 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. maple flavoring
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg

Mix together cake flour, pecans, coconut and salt in large bowl. In another bowl cream together sugar, butter, maple flavoring, vanilla extract and egg. Add to dry mixture (it will be stiff). Lightly butter bottom of 9 x 13-inch pan. Press 3/4 of mixture in pan for crust. Spread dates over crust and crumble remaining crust on top of filling.

Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Cool for at least 30 minutes then cut into 2x2 squares.

Makes 20 squares.