One of my mother’s stand-by sweet treats was dates stuffed with cream cheese and a walnut half.
I’ve taken to flavoring the cream cheese with citrus zest or a bit of liquor.
Still hard to beat. Who cares that they are 60-70% sugar?
And as our produce choices have expanded, I’ve since experienced medjool dates, which beat the boxed, waxy-skinned ones of my youth in every way.
This recipe for date bars beats the Pillsbury boxed date bars to Palmdale and back.
Date Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 c. pitted dates, chopped
- 1 1/2 c. water
- 1/3 c. walnuts
- 1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1 1/2 c. rolled oats
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. butter, softened
- 1 T. water
Instructions
- Combine dates, water and sugar in a saucepan and cook, stirring, until thick. Add walnuts and cool.Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, adding oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter til fine. Sprinkle with water and stir.Pat half into a greased 9 x 13 inch oven proof pan. Top with date mixture, then remaining oat mixture. Pat lightly.Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.