Date crumb bars - bon appetit

12 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
1 pounds Whole pitted dates
⅔ cup Packed golden brown sugar
⅔ cup Orange juice
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
1½ cup Old-fashioned oats
1½ cup All purpose flour
1 cup Packed golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon Baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
¾ cup Coarsely chopped walnuts
Vanilla ice cream (opt.)

Directions

FILLING

CRUST

FOR FILUNG: Stir first 3 ingredients in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer until dates are tender and syrup is thick, about 3 minutes. Cool; mix in vanilla. Puree filling in processor until smooth.

FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350F. Butter 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Mix first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal and forms moist clumps.

Firmly press half of crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread filling over crust. Add walnuts to remaining crumb nuxture and sprinkle over filling. Bake until topping is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Cool in pan. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)

Cut into squares. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Bon Appetit/October/94 Scanned & edited by Di Pahl & <gg>

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