Decadent Date Bars Recipes

GRAMMA'S DATE SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

DECADENT DATE BARS

Steps:

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

BEST EVER DATE BARS

Steps:

• For filling, combine all filling ingredients except for nuts in medium sized saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally til thickened.
• Cool.
• Stir in nuts.
• For base, sift together flour, soda and salt.
• Add oats and sugar.
• Mix well.
• Stir in butter.
• Mix til crumbly.
• Press 2/3 of mixture into greased 8" square pan.
• Spread filling evenly over flour mixture.
• Top with remaining mixture.
• Pack light.
• Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
• Cool completely!(Very important).
• Cut into bars.