Montego Bay Bars


Ingredients

  • 1½ cups cut-up dates
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ square (½ ounce) unsweetened chocolate
  • ⅓ cup butter or margarine, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour*
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon soda
  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped nuts

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 400º.
  2. Grease square pan, 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inches.
  3. Cook dates, granulated sugar, water and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until mixture thickens; cool.
  4. Cream butter and brown sugar.
  5. Mix in remaining ingredients.
  6. Press half the mixture evenly in bottom of pan.
  7. Spread with date mixture; top with remaining crumble mixture, pressing lightly.
  8. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. Cool; cut into bars, about 2x1½ inches.

*If using self-rising flour, omit salt and soda. If using quick-mixing flour, stir in 2 teaspoons milk.