Date Bars

Date Bars.Wow, I've really been neglecting this little side of my blog. In all honesty, I haven't been cooking much lately (MOM FAIL). Now that the holidays are here, it's time to bake.

These date bars are deliciious. And wholesome. And if I ever had my own coffee shop, they would be on the menu.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups oatmeal (quick or old fashioned)
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 egg whites

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper (or lightly spray with oil).

In a small sauce pan, combine dates, water, sugar, and vanilla.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients (oatmeal, self-rising flour, brown sugar, butter, and egg). If you don't have self-rising flour, replace with 2 cups regular flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Pat half of the oatmeal mixture onto a cookie sheet, about 1/4 inch thick (the dough, not the cookie sheet). Mine did not spread to the entire pan but it may have been a bit too thick. It's fine if it won't fit, just shape so that the thickness of the dough is consistent. Pour the date mixture on top. Then, top the date mixture with the remaining oatmeal mixture.

Bake for 25 minutes. Cool, cut, and enjoy!