Orange-Date Bars

Name: Orange-Date Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup chopped dates; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup orange juice; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 tablespoon grated orange zest; 1/2 cup chopped pecans

If you're looking to serve a lighter, more nutritious dessert, you'll appreciate this recipe. It's an appealing old-fashioned dessert that's full-flavored.

Ingredients

1 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar, oil and juice. Cook for 5 minutes to soften dates. Cool. Add egg; mix well. Combine all remaining ingredients and stir into date mixture.
Spread into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 56 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 12mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Orange-Date Bars in Country Woman May/June 1991