Nutty Date Bars are chewy nuggets of satisfying sweetness. They are cut into small bars (think Lego size) because they are packed full of sweet dates. I treasure this heirloom recipe because it has been handed down by my Grandma (Lib) and carried on by my Mom (Jane) every Christmas.
½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup flour
¼ teaspoons salt (or ½ teaspoon salt if you use UNsalted butter)
1 pound dried dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts
Makes around 40 cookies
Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
Line an 11 x 7" pan with parchment paper or grease and flour all sides.
In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter together. Beat for several minutes until the mixture changes to a pale color and the sugar dissolves.
Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
In a second bowl, combine the flour and salt. Then, add to the creamed mixture. Mix well.
Stir in the dates and walnuts.
Tip batter into the prepared pan and spread out to the edges.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
Cool completely then cut into small finger-sized bars.
Optional Roll bars in granulated sugar.
