Applesauce Date Bars
A quick, fruity bar cookie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup diced or chopped pitted dates see step 1 for how to measure
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce see step 1 for how to measure
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Beat together the butter, sugar, and egg until very light and fluffy.
- Put one cup dates in a two cup measure, pressing lightly to measure. Pour in applesauce to fill to the two cup line, stirring and adding applesauce as the gaps between the dates are filled in.
- Pour the date and applesauce mixture into the beaten butter mix and stir until well combined.
- Sift or stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Add to the date/applesauce/butter mixture and stir just until completely combined. Don't overly beat. If using walnuts, stir them in just before putting batter in pan.
- Spray or oil a 7 X 11 or 9 x 9 inch pan and pour the batter into it. The batter will be thick so carefully smooth it so it is as even as possible.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 22 to 25 minutes.
- When well cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar OR spread a thin layer of powdered sugar glaze over the top.