ORANGE DATE BARS

Orange Date Bars image

Provided by Sydney Mike

Time 45m

Yield 32 bars, 32 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/2 cups dates, chopped (Medjool dates preferred)
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, chopped
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest, minced
1/3 cup milk

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, then grease a 15"x10" baking pan.
In a saucepan, combine dates, brown sugar, water & butter, then bring to boil, reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes or until dates are softened, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat & stir in chocolate chips.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk & orange juice.
In another mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt, then ALTERNATELY add this dry mixture AND the orange juice mixture to the date mixture, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the walnuts, then pour into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven & let cool on a wire rack.
For the glaze, in a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter & orange zest, then stir in milk a little at a time until glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over the cooled base before cutting.into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 198.2, Fat 8.9, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 23.9, Sodium 76.7, Carbohydrate 29.8, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 23.7, Protein 2.1