We don't get much snow in Tennessee. Except for today. Kids are out of school. Me too, because they are. It is still coming down. It feels like Saturday. What to do? Bake of course. . .
Chewy Date Bars--makes 24
1 pound room temp butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups desiccated coconut
for the date filling:
1 pound dates (I used 2-8 oz. bags of Dole pitted dates)
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
combine butter and sugars in a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium to beat together until creamy--add vanilla and salt, beat to combine--beat in flour, baking powder and 1 cup of coconut until a soft dough forms
spray 9X13 pan with cooking spray--press 1/3 of dough in the pan to form the bottom crust--wrap rest of crust in plastic wrap and put in frig for at least 30 min.
combine the dates, water and sugar in a heavy pan over medium heat--cover pan and cook for 10-15 min stirring occasionally until dates are soft--cool slightly--pour into food processor to grind dates to a fine paste
preheat oven to 325--bake bottom crust on middle rack for 20-30 min. until brown on edges--take out, let cool slightly--spread date filling evenly over crust--crumble rest of dough over filling to form a pebbly topping
return to oven and bake until topping is firm and crisp about 30 min.--remove and sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup coconut over the top--let cool to room temp. (ya, right) and enjoy!
My Grandma Ruth used to make date bars. I have never made them before. They make me happy. This video made me happy today too.
Best wishes for a wonderful weekend. If you have the white stuff falling too, enjoy! Teresa
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