DATE AND NUT BARS

DATE AND NUT BARS image

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups packaged pitted and chopped dates
1/3 cup boiling water
½ cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ cup chopped walnuts
Icing sugar to roll bars (optional)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9 x 9 inch baking pan. Place dates in a small bowl. Pour boiling water over dates; let stand, stirring occasionally, until ready to use. Beat shortening with sugar in a medium-sized bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir together flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking soda in a small bowl until well combined. Beat flour mixture into shortening mixture until well blended. Stir in nuts and dates. Turn mixture into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the centre of oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until top is golden and a cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool squares completely in pan on a rack. Cut into bars. Roll in icing sugar if you wish.