Date Nut Cookie Bars

Razzle Dazzle was our annual Christmas luncheon and bazaar in September at our church. There were crafts, baked goods and other items to purchase as gifts or to enjoy. I knew from last year that there would probably be some delicious Fruit Cake baked by one of our ladies.

Sure enough there it was and I quickly purchased two one pound bricks. My husband and I rationed out the first cake just before Thanksgiving. Oh so good, a small slice with a cup of coffee. For our Holiday dinners I bake pumpkin pie and Apple Crisp, so Robert and I did not feel guilty in the least for devouring the fruit cake.

The second pound of cake - - just before Christmas disappeared in like manner as did the first.

A long time ago I tried to bake a fruit cake - - It turned out fine, but it was so time consuming and expensive that I decided once was enough.

This lovely Date Cookie Bar is close to a fruit cake and it is easy to make too.

Date Nut Cookie Bars

1 & 1/2 cups chopped dates
1 cup lemonade (tip: squeeze one half lemon into the cup of water)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt

In a sauce pan bring the above ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in nuts.

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or almonds.

In a bowl mix well the following

1 & 1/2 cups flour
1 & 1/2 cups Quick oats
1/2 cup Brown sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4 tsp salt

Pat one half oat mixture into 9x9 pan. Spread evenly over the oat mixture the date mix.

Gently pat the remaining oat mix and press firmly. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. Optional: Dust top with confection sugar.

This post is linked with Ann Kroeker’s, Food on Fridays at http://annkroeker.com/
Do hop on over to her site and gather up some delicious and nutritious recipes.