Date Bars
Original Recipe from Jan Springborn (circa 1978)

Ingredients:
1 pkg (8 oz.) pitted dates
1 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
3/4 lb. (3 sticks) butter
1 tsp. baking soda
2-1/2 cups quick oats

Chop dates and combine them with water and 1/2 c. sugar in medium saucepan. Boil until thick. Cool.

Cut remaining ingredients together with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. [I usually start with just the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and butter and then add the oats after the rest is well mixed.]

Pack half of the dry mixture into the bottom of a 9×13″ pan. Spread with the cooled date mixture. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture on top. Press down lightly. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes or until oats are lightly browned (may take up to 45-50 minutes).

When cool, cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

NOTE: If you buy “chopped dates” they may already be covered in sugar, if so, just reduce the amount of white sugar in the recipe.

Copyright © 2007, Lucinda DeWitt