Categories: Cookies
Ingredients
- 8-ounce package pitted dates, coarsely chopped
- 1 and 1/2 cups orange juice (I used Minute Maid)
- 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down when you measure it)
- 1 and 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups softened butter (3 sticks, 12 ounces, 3/4 pound)
- 2 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
- 1 cups shredded coconut (for the batter)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (for a topping)
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.
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In a medium size saucepan combine the dates and the orange juice. Do not cover. Bring the mixture to a boil.
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Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
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Move the saucepan to a cold burner and let it cool.
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In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix it in thoroughly.
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Cut in the softened butter with a pastry blender, or two knives until the resulting mixture is crumbly. (You can also do this with a food processor and cold butter cut into pieces. Use the steel blade in an on and off motion until the mixture is crumbly.)
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Stir in the oats, coconut, and nuts. Mix thoroughly.
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Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
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Measure out 4 cups of the oat mixture and set it on the counter to use for a topping. Press the remainder of the oat mixture in the bottom of your baking pan.
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Spread the date mixture evenly over the crust to within a quarter-inch of the edges.
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Sprinkle the date mixture with the remaining oat mixture.
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Sprinkle the remaining half-cup coconut on the top and pat it down gently.
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Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until light golden brown on top. Cool completely in the pan on wire rack.
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When completely cool, cut into bars. Store them in a tightly covered container.
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Yield: Makes 36, rich, delicious bars.