Recipe: Maple Date Bars

1 3/4 cup finely chopped pitted dates

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon grated lemon grind

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup regular oats

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

cooking spray

Combine dates, water, and maple syrup in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil.

Cook 12 minutes or until most liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. Mixture will look like jam.

Stir in rind; cool completely.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, with stand mixer, beat sugar and butter at medium speed until smooth.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.

Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

Stir in flour mixture into sugar mixture (mixture will be crumbly).

Press 2 cups flour mixture into bottom on a 9x13 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray.

Spread date mixture over flour mixture.

Sprinkle with remaining flour mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Makes about 20 bars.

Cooking Light, November 2005