Crispy Date Bars

Name: Crispy Date Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup cold butter; FILLING:; 1 cup chopped dates; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup butter; 1 large egg, beaten; 2 cups crisp rice cereal; 1 cup chopped nuts; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; FROSTING:; 3 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

I make these chewy bars around the holidays because they make a nice-size batch for my family. Plus, they keep well in the refrigerator, so I can make them when it's convenient. —Anna Sheehan, Spokane, Washington

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter
FILLING:
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 large egg, beaten
2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FROSTING:
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan, combine the dates, sugar and butter; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup hot mixture to egg; return all to pan. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in cereal, nuts and vanilla. Spread over crust. Cool on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until creamy. Frost bars; cut and store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 235 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Crispy Date Bars in Best of Country Cookies

Reviews

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Average Rating:

070707at7am

Jan 27, 2013

I've gotten rave reviews every time I have made these. I like them better when I leave out the sugar in the date layer, and it's important that the butter in the crust is cold (it makes the crust tough if not). I've made it with nuts and without and it's good both ways. Yum!
harguthm

Jun 1, 2010

Next time I will cut down on the crust. It seemed there was more crust than filling. Filling was extra good. 24 servings from a 9 x9 pan?? The bars would have to be extra small for that. They are rich so cut them a bit small.