Apple Date-Nut Bars

Name: Apple Date-Nut Bars
Ingredients: 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped fine; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons water; 1 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped; 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into bits and softened; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans; 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

11 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped fine
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into bits and softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions

1

In a heavy saucepan combine the apples, the granulated sugar, the lemon juice, and the water and simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
2

Add the dates, simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring it and mashing the dates, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the dates are soft and the mixture is almost smooth, and let the puree cool.
3

In a bowl combine the butter, the brown sugar, the salt, the flour, the pecans, and the cinnamon and blend the mixture well.
4

Press half the flour mixture evenly into a buttered 13- by 9-inch baking pan, spread the puree over it, and crumble the remaining flour mixture over the puree, pressing it lightly to form an even layer.
5

Bake the mixture in the middle of a preheated 375F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it is golden, let it cool completely in the pan on a rack, and cut it into 36 bars.