Crumb Topped Date Bars Food

BEST DATE BARS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts, if desired; 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 13x9-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.

DATE CRUMBLE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, then grease & line (with parchment) a 7"x11" cake pan.
• Combine the dates & orange juice in a saucepan & bring to a boil before turning the heat down to low ~ Cover the saucepan & simmer gently for 5 minutes to soften the dates.
• Remove from the heat & mash the date mixture until smooth, then set aside to cool.
• In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter & sugar, then stir in the oats & flour to form a crumbly mixture.
• Press half of this mixture into the base of the prepared pan to form a smooth base, then use a fork to prick the base all over.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Spread the date paste over the cooked base & sprinkle the remaining crumbly mixture over that as a topping.
• Return to the oven & bake for another 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Remove from the oven, cut into 12 bars & allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack.
• Great served either warm or cold.

DATE BARS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, cook filling ingredients over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
• In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until well mixed. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt until crumbly. Press half of the crumb mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumb mixture; press lightly.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan on cooling rack. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm.