Date Bars II

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups chopped pitted dates
• 0.25 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.88 cups water
• 2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 0.5 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.75 cups butter
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch square pan. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, 1/4 cup brown sugar, orange zest, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice and water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until dates are soft and the mixture becomes a thick paste, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

2. 2

   To make the crust and topping, stir together the oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers. Mixture should be coarse and crumbly. Stir in 2 tablespoons water until evenly distributed. Press about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the date mixture evenly over the crust all the way to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture over the date layer. Press down lightly.

3. 3

   Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is lightly toasted. Cool completely before cutting into bars.