Apple Date Nut Bars Recipe

Ingredients for Apple Date Nut Bars

• Granny Smith Apples
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 cup water
• Pitted Dates
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• Light Brown Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• All Purpose Flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Apple Date Nut Bars

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease and flour a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups peeled and chopped apples, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes, or until apples are tender.
4. Add 1 cup pitted dates to the saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, stirring and mashing the dates, for 3-5 minutes, or until dates are soft and the mixture is almost smooth. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
5. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt.
6. Add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
7. Press half of the flour mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Spread the cooled apple-date puree over the crust.
9. Crumble the remaining flour mixture evenly over the puree, pressing lightly to create an even layer.
10. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into 36 bars.