Date Nut Bars

Submitted by caffeine junkie

"I got this recipe from the mother of one of my bosses. I didn't think I would like dates, but she made me try a bar and I was hooked. I think her bars are perfect because they don't have oatmeal (I don't really like oatmeal in my baked goods), the filling wasn't too overly sweet, and the crust was crumbly and buttery. These are now a part of my Christmas goodie containers. This recipe can easily be halved, and baked in a 9x9" pan for about 10-12 minutes for the crust and 20-25 minutes for the filling."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 10-12

ingredients

• Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold

• Filling

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• powdered sugar

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly.
3. Press into the bottom of a 13x9x2" pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Remove crust from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees.
4. Meanwhile, make the filling. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Add brown sugar and vanilla and mix well.
5. In a medium bowl, sift and combine together 2/3 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to egg mixture and mix well.
6. Fold in dates and walnuts. Spread mixture evenly over hot crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes.
7. Cool in pan on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar.