Date Bars

While going through our recipes, my mom and I stumbled upon a favorite old time recipe. We upgraded to our own  tastes, but not much different from a recipe that Quaker Oats printed on the box decades ago. Originally this was a dessert square, but we decided that it makes a great Little Susie Home Maker breakfast bar, or snack when individually wrapped in plastic wrap and served on the go. The long rectangle cut instead of squares, makes them perfect for dunking in milk, tea or coffee. So I wanted to share this recipe and let you enjoy it as a dessert, or breakfast or snack on the run. I have inserted a few options for you to adjust to your liking, which we all like to do to recipes, anyways. If you try these out, come back and comment on how you like to serve it. I would love to hear from you!

 Date Bars

1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2-sticks) cold butter, cubed

2-1/2 cups chopped dates

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla (or rum) extract

1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into a 13x9 inch, baking pan.

In a large saucepan, combine the dates, sugar and water. (Use an electric hand chopper blender while still cool to puree the dates a little finer if possible. This puree can also be done prior to putting in pan, in a food processor, but this step is not necessary. This makes a smoother topping. Omit this step if a chewier date is preferred.) Cook for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in nuts and extract. Spread over crust.

Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into rectangles 1x3 inches. Serve or store in air tight container.

Blessings,

Little Susie Home Maker