Date Crumb Bars
FILLING:
1 lb Whole pitted dates
2/3 cup Golden brown sugar; packed
2/3 cup Orange juice
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
CRUST:
1 1/2 cups Old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 cup Golden brown sugar; packed
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1 pinch Salt
1 cup Unsalted butter; chilled, cut into pieces
3/4 cup Walnuts; coarsely chopped
Stir dates, brown sugar, and orange juice in medium saucepan over
med. 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.
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
Crust:
Mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in
large bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture
resembles coarse meal and forms most clumps.
Firmly press half of crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.
Spread filling over crust. Add walnuts to remaining crumb mixture
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. |