Cranberry Date Bars
Taste of Home
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I first discovered this recipe at Christmas a couple years ago, but it's a great way to use frozen cranberries throughout the year. I help out at the elementary school our three sons attend and am active at our church. It seems I'm always baking a batch of these moist bars for some event.
-Bonnie Nieter, Warsaw, Indiana
SERVINGS: 18
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
- 1 package (8 ounces) chopped dates
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, melted
- GLAZE:
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
In a covered saucepan over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the cranberries have popped. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter until well blended. Pat half into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes.
Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Pat gently. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Cool. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars. Yield: 3 dozen.