My Date Bars

Name: My Date Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 30 bars
Ingredients: 500 g dates, chopped equivalent to 3 cups; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/2 cup margarine, room temperature; 1/4 cup butter, room temperature; 1 cup golden brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

Submitted by Emjay99

"My version is a little different. I don't add sugar to the filling because of the sweetness of the dates. I also add an egg to the dough mixture which I find prevents the squares from crumbling. These freeze well."

Download

Ready In:: 40mins
Ingredients:: 12
Yields:: 30 bars

ingredients

FILLING
500 g dates, chopped equivalent to 3 cups
1 ¹⁄₂ cups water
BASE AND TOPPING MIXTURE
¹⁄₂ cup margarine, room temperature
¹⁄₄ cup butter, room temperature
1 cup golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
1 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt
¹⁄₂ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ¹⁄₂ cups quick-cooking oats

directions

FILLING: Place the chopped dates and water in a heavy saucepan. Cover with the lid and simmer on low heat until dates are softened and form into a paste. Cool completely and set aside.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
BASE & TOPPING: Cream together margarine, butter, sugar and vanilla extract.
Beat in egg.
Sift in the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
Add the oats and mix until incorporated.
Pat half the dough on the bottom of a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan.
Spread over the cooled date mixture.
Crumble or grate the remaining dough over top.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool slightly in the pan.
Cut into bars and cool completely on a wire rack.