Recipes: Grandma's Date Bars

*this is the original recipe my Grandma gave me, I love those old recipe cards..so cute!  And can you believe how good her hand writting is?!*

 I have the most wonderful memories associated with this recipe, of Thanksgivings and Christmases up at Grandma and Grandpa's big house on the ranch...always a day or two before the big holidays Grandma would begin getting the tell-tale treats ready.  First she'd pull out the old popcorn popper *a hideous avacado thing from the 70's* and would pop a bunch of corn and I couldn't seem to understand why it didn't taste like the popcorn my mom made out of the bag this stuff had no flavor!  Then when she got a big pan of it she'd pour caramel over it and it just made the best caramel corn...then she'd make sugared walnuts covered in sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  We always had so many walnuts because Grandpa was always doing some project or another for the walnut ranch and they'd give him a bunch so you always got to take some home from Grandma's.  Then it would be time to make the date bars, now I mean it when I say these Smell like Thanksgiving.  To me making them just so the smell fills the house is totally worth it, I can't explain it but even served cold they taste warm, cozy, and Happy.  Maybe it's the memories I have of all the good times these date bars made their appearance but I never remember anyone *family or not* only taking one so they've got to be pretty good and I need to share them with you!

♥ This recipe comes from the kitchen of my lovely Grandmother Donna Powers ♥ 

*if you don't like walnuts or dates you can substitute any kind of nut and raisins work just as well as dates*

{I'm apologizing ahead of time, after the first few pictures the camera had a malfunction so I had to switch to iphone}

Soften up a cup of butter in the microwave or set it out ahead of time.  Then proceed to add the 2 cups of sugar.

 Cream that together with the blender till it's pretty and fluffy looking!

 Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.  Then add baking soda and water, mix again.

 Combine all the remaining dry ingrediants, whisk together!

Yes, even the dates and walnuts!  Mix it all together thuroughly then place in the fridge for about 3 hours.

 

 Then on a lightly floured surface make the dough into rolls *exact details at the bottom of post*

  

 Use your fingers and flatten onto a greased baking sheet.

 After you sprinkle the remaining sugar on top they're ready to go in the oven! ...Just so you know I made these WAY to big

*...actually husband did but that's a different story*

Then pop 'em in at 350 for 15-20mins!  And remember to cut them  while they're still hot!

I really hate how this photo turned out it doesn't make them nearly look as attractive as they are.  They are amazing, they smell beautiful and your taste buds will say THANK YOU...I promise. 

What you'll need

1 cup of butter

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsps water

1 cup chopped dates

3 cups flour

1 tbs cinnamon *or more you can really go wild with the cinnamon*

1 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves

A dash of salt *now really what is a dash?  I put in 1/4 tsp as well*

1 cup of chopped walnuts  

2 tbs sugar *save this for topping at the end* 

 

Directions

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy

Add eggs one at a time, beat well after Each egg is added 

Add baking soda and water to creamed mixture, blend together 

In a seperate bowl combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, nuts, and dates whisk all together

add gradually to the creamed mixture

mix the dough thuroughly

Place in the fridge for 3hours

On a lightly floured surface shape the dough into rolls about 10inches long and 3/4 inches in diameter 

Plance on buttered *non-stick spray or cooking oil will work just as well* baking sheet and with your fingers flatten to 1/4 inch thick

then sprinkle with the remaining sugar

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes

Cut while still hot *and Grandma always cuts them diagonally*