Classic Date Bars
Date Bars

Classic Date Bars

Susan Richardson of Edina, Minnesota, writes: "My mother worked
full-time when I was growing up, so as the oldest daughter in a family
of six children, I did a lot of cooking. From the time I was seven
years old, my mom taught me how to cook and bake - salad, bread,
vegetables, and dessert were pretty much part of every dinner. Even
today, I make it a point to prepare and eat dinner with my two teenage
children. Though we're very busy, we'll never abandon our dinner
ritual. It's the time when we can talk and reconnect."

1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, diced, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter 8x8-inch metal baking pan. Bring 1 1/2
cups water to simmer in medium saucepan. Add dates; simmer until very
soft and thick, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Cool to room
temperature. Stir in vanilla.
Combine flour, sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in large
bowl; stir to blend. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub in until moist
clumps form. Press half of oat mixture evenly over bottom of prepared
pan. Spread date mixture over. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture;
press gently to adhere. Bake until brown at edges and golden brown and
set in center, about 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack. Cut
into bars and serve.

Makes 16.



Date Bars

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups dried pitted dates (3/4 lb), chopped
1/2 cup whole almonds (3 oz), toasted
1/3 cup sesame seeds (2 1/2 oz), toasted
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375 F. Line a
9-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang, then
butter and flour foil (except overhang).
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a large
bowl. Add dates, almonds, and sesame seeds and toss until combined.
Whisk together butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then stir into
date mixture until combined well.
Spread batter evenly in baking pan. Bake until golden and edges begin
to pull away from sides of pan, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in
pan before cutting into bars.

Makes 15 (3- by 2-inch) bars.



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