The Best Date Bars

By Tom421

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon water

Details

Servings 40
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 60mins
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts; cool.

Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly.

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Yield: 40 bars.