Date Bar Cookies

Recipe from the Wyllie Fox Farm Kitchen

Filling:                    3 cups coarsely chopped dates
                                ¼ cup sugar
                                1 ½ cups water

Crust & topping:  1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
                                1 ¾ cups flour
                                ½ tsp baking soda
                                1 tsp salt
                                1 ½ cups old-fashioned oatmeal, not instant
                                ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) cold butter, cut into cubes

Preheat oven to 400°.  In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine dates, sugar & water.  Cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 15 minutes.  Allow to cool completely. 

In a food processor or in a bowl with a blender, combine dry crust & topping ingredients.  While running, add the butter a little at a time and mix until crumb-like.

With your hands, press & flatten half of the crumb mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.  Spread cooled filling over crust.  Cover with remaining crumb mixture and gently pat down.  Bake until lightly browned, approx. 25 – 30 minutes.

Cool slightly and cut while still in the pan.  Gently remove from pan and serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 30

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