Date Bars

I tried these as a Christmas treat one year. We like them so much I now serve them all year long.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• For the filling

• 3  cups  chopped dates
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups water

• For the crust and topping

• 1  cup  firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups old fashioned oats
• 3⁄4 cup  very cold butter, cut into small cubes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. In saucepan over low heat, combine dates, sugar, and water.
3. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened- about 15 minutes.
4. Cool completely.
5. In large bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and oats on low speed until combined.
6. While mixer is running, add butter, a couple pieces at a time.
7. Mix until crumb-like, with butter lumps no larger than pea size.
8. Using your hands, press and flatten half of the crumb mixture into a greased 9 by 13 pan.
9. Spread cooled filling over crust.
10. Cover with remaining crumb mixture, patting lightly.
11. Bake until lightly browned, 25 to 35 minutes.
12. Cool slightly and cut into bars while still in the pan.
13. Gently remove cut bars from pan.
14. Serve warm or at room temperature.
15. Date bars, stored in an airtight container, refrigerate and freeze well.