Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe
Ingredients
| Pitted dates | 1 1/2 Cup (16 tbs), chopped | |
| Water | 3/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Lemon juice | 2 1/2 Tablespoon | |
| Margarine | 1/3 Cup (16 tbs), softened | |
| Firmly packed brown sugar | 2/3 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 Teaspoon | |
| 1 cup regular oats, uncooked | ||
| All purpose flour | 3/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Whole wheat flour | 1/4 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Baking soda | 1/2 Teaspoon | |
| Salt | 1/8 Teaspoon | |
| Vegetable cooking spray | ||
Directions
Combine dates, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
Set aside.
Cream margarine; gradually add brown sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla, beating well.
Combine oats and next 4 ingredients; add to creamed mixture, stirring until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Press 2 cups oat mixture evenly into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining oat mixture aside.
Bake at 375° for 5 minutes or until crust looks puffed.
Spread date mixture over prepared crust, and top with remaining oat mixture.
Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Cut into bars.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
Set aside.
Cream margarine; gradually add brown sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla, beating well.
Combine oats and next 4 ingredients; add to creamed mixture, stirring until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Press 2 cups oat mixture evenly into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; set remaining oat mixture aside.
Bake at 375° for 5 minutes or until crust looks puffed.
Spread date mixture over prepared crust, and top with remaining oat mixture.
Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until golden.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Cut into bars.
Chef
