Date and Orange Spice Squares

This is a Rose Reisman recipe served as a morning bread, snack or dessert. Always a winner.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 8  ounces  whole pitted dates
• 1  cup  orange juice
• 1⁄3 cup  vegetable oil
• 2  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  grated orange zest
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1  cup Splenda sugar substitute
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable spray.
3. Put the dates and orange juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to low.
4. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, or until the dates are soft and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Mash with a wooden spoon until combined.
6. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, eggs, orange zest, vanilla and yogurt.
7. Stir in the date mixture and mix well.
8. In another bowl, combine both flours, the Splenda, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and nutmeg, and add to the wet ingredients.
9. Mix until just combined.
10. Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.