Best Date Bars

Last Saturday I baked (among other things) a pan of these date bars to take to church for coffee fellowship. Arrived at church and realized I'd forgotten them at home. Wisdom says to freeze them for the 31st when we take treats again, but I'm not sure they will last that long! OMG they are good! Back in the 70's I used to buy a packaged mix for date bars (one of the few packaged things I ever used or liked). I loved them and the boys loved them. In the last few years I've been thinking about them and searching for a recipe. Recently I bought a Taste of Home annual and found this recipe. Not quite the same, but every bit as good!

1 pound pitted whole dates


2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup orange juice

3 teaspoons vanilla extract



CRUST:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Dash salt

1 cup cold butter, cubed

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Vanilla ice cream, optional

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the dates, brown sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened and dates are tender, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread with date mixture.

Stir walnuts into remaining crumb mixture. Sprinkle over filling; press down gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Serve with ice cream if desired. Yield: 2 dozen.

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Here's a smaller version for an 8x8" pan
1 cup chopped dates


1/2 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 egg white