Evolving Mommy’s Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange!
I love getting recipes in my inbox. My baking to do list is growing by the day. Date Bar recipe provided by Gillian.
Ingredients for the filling:
3 cups coarsely chopped dates (a generous pound!)
1 1/2 cups water
For the crust and topping:
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) very cold butter, cut into small cubes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a nonreactive medium saucepan over low heat, combine dates, and water. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, place brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and oats. Mix on low speed until combined. While mixer is running, add butter, 1 piece or 2 at a time. Mix until crumb like, with some lumps of butter no larger than pea size.
Using your hands, press and flatten half of crumb mixture into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Spread cooled filling over crust. Cover with remaining crumb mixture, patting lightly. Bake until lightly browned, 25 to 35 minutes. Cool slightly and cut into bars while still in the pan. Gently remove cut bars from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Date bars, stored in an airtight container, refrigerate and freeze well.
Submit your recipe links by entering your recipe title, email and post URL below. Want to participate? Check out the cookie exchange details to see how to play along and get entered to win one of the prizes!
