Old-Fashioned Date Bars

Wrap in festive packaging to give as hostess gifts!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 24 bars

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine, softened
• 2 1⁄3 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3  large eggs
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3  cups pitted dates, coarsely chopped
• 1  cup  chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Stir in vanilla.
5. Mix together flour, baking powder, and baking soda; and gradually add to the creamed mixture.
6. Fold in the dates and nuts.
7. Spread the batter evenly in a greased 13x9 baking pan and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until golden.
8. Cool in pan.
9. Cut into approximately 24 bars.