Hi gang!
I couldn’t wait to get started collecting recipes. Today I want to share one of my favorite recipes. It’s so easy because you mix it up in the saucepan and it makes enough for a small family or for a few friends.
It’s called: Look Mom – No-Sugar Date Bars
1 cup dates
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cut dates into small pieces using kitchen scissors or, depending upon your age, a knife and cutting board. Make sure the dates do not have pits in them. If they do, take out the pits first before cutting.
In medium size saucepan, boil dates and water for 5 minutes. Watch this carefully so the dates don’t scorch. The dates should be softened and look like applesauce, only darker. Add butter. Mix and set aside to cool.
Add eggs and vanilla to cooled mixture in saucepan. Measure flour, baking soda, and salt. Add these dry ingredients to pan mixture. Stir in nuts.
Spread in greased 7 x 11-inch pan and bake in 350 degrees F oven for 20-23 minutes.
Cut into 15 bars.
For a nice variation, add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to flour mixture.
Dates are loaded with potassium and phosphorus and have 230 calories per 10 dates.
I like this recipe because it has a nice mild sweet flavor without the sugar, and the nuts give it a nice crunchy texture. I made this a few weeks ago when my neighbors dropped over with their two young boys. I served it with ice cream, though, which did add to the sugar content of these refreshments.
Now I am waiting to hear about some of your favorite foods and recipes. I hope you will flood my “Comments” box with lots of your favorites. Or, if you have made some of the recipes here in this blog, I would like to hear your comments, too. I am also open to hearing about any questions you have about cooking.