 |
Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes |
Ready In: 60 Minutes Servings: 40 |
|
I grew up in a family with eight children, and I started baking for our big family at age 10. Today, decades later, I still enjoy baking pies, cakes, strudels and bars. These date treats are very easy to bake, and one sheet of them will yield 48 good-sized bars. I sometimes add nuts, coconut or candied fruit. This dessert is great to take to a church bazaar or any group function. In the 1940s, I managed a Pittsburgh school cafeteria that fed 420 students ever day, so I can recall a thing or two about how to feed a crowd! 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 king arthur unbleached 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 |
Directions:
1. In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts; cool.
2. 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.
3. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 40 bars.
|
|