Decadent Date Bars

Submitted by papergoddess

"From Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1975. Posted in reply to a request."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 36 bars

ingredients

• DATE FILLING

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

• CRUST MIXTURE

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1⁄4 cup shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 cups quick-cooking oats

directions

1. Date Filling: Mix 3 cups chopped dates (1 lb.) with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in saucepan.
2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until thickened; Cool.
3. Grease 13x9 baking pan.
4. Crust Mixture: Cream butter, shortening, and brown sugar.
5. Mix in remaining ingredients.
6. Press half the mixture in bottom of pan.
7. Spread with filling.
8. Top with remaining crumble mixture, pressing lightly.
9. Bake at 400°F 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown.
10. While warm, cut into bars about 2 inches X 1 1/2 inches.
11. VARIATION: You can omit date filling and substitute 1 cup of your favorite jam.

Reviews

[Michelle Dominic]

I don't need to try these to know they are good. I make these all the time but I add orange juice not water and no sugar.

 

[55tbird]

Very easy, very delicious!!

 

[Chef George S.]

Another variation: Whole wheat flour instead of white, and for the date filling I used only 2/3 cup liquid and 2T sugar, along with 1/2 cup of candied ginger. Processed in food processor in 2 batches (divide sugar, water & ginger, too). Didn't need to cook it before spreading it over crust. Great stuff! Thanks for the recipe

 

[Izzies_busy_mum]

Very easy recipe, tasted great. Subbed water for OJ as suggested. Had a couple people request the recipe!

 

[char_yeo]

it's great! i followed some of the other reviewers who sub the water with orange juice, and the result was YUMMMMMMYYYYYYY!!!