Apricot Date Squares

Name: Apricot Date Squares
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup chopped dates; 1/2 cup 100% apricot spreadable fruit or jam; 1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats; 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed

Memories of her mom's fruity date bars inspired Shannon Koene of Blacksburg, Virginia to create this wonderful recipe. “I've had great results replacing the apricot jam with orange marmalade,” notes Shannon.

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup 100% apricot spreadable fruit or jam
1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1-1/3 cups and is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat. Stir in spreadable fruit until blended; set aside. In a food processor, combine the oats, flour, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter; cover and process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press 3 cups crumb mixture into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread date mixture to within 1/2 in. of edges. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; press down gently.
Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 147 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

Originally published as Old-Fashioned Date Squares in Taste of Home October/November 2007

Reviews

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kafaughn

Jul 10, 2014

One of my favorite desserts.
blessednest

Sep 4, 2011

My kids absolutely loved these!
csublet

Mar 2, 2010

These were delicious, expecially hot from the oven. I substituted chopped dried apricots for the dates since my husband doesn't like dates and what a hit!