Date Bars

The recipe for these more conventional date bars, slightly tweaked after I made it the first time, was found in the September 2008 Taste of Home Bake Sale cookbook. It's said that they freeze well, but I've never had them around long enough to test that out!

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 32
• Yields: 32 bars

Ingredients

• 2 3⁄4 cups pitted dates, chopped (Medjool dates preferred)
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄3 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 cups rolled oats, quick cooking
• 1  cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
• 1  tablespoon water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, then grease a 13"x9" baking pan.
2. In a saucepan, combine dates, granulated sugar & 1 1/2 cups water. Over medium heat, cook, stirring frequently until very thick, then remove from heat & stir in walnuts. Set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt & baking soda, then stir in the oats & brown sugar.
4. Cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly, then sprinkle the tablespoon of water over the mixture & lightly stir, before patting HALF of this mixture into the prepared baking pan.
5. Spread the date mixture over this bottom layer & then cover the date mixture with the remaining oat mixture, patting down lightly.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned, then cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars.