Date Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange peel
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates (about 8 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (about 6 ounces)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl.
2. Beat eggs and sugar in mixer bowl with whisk attachment on high speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Add orange juice and peel; beat well. Reduce speed to low.
4. Add flour mixture gradually, mixing just until combined after each addition.
5. Add dates and pecans; stir gently until evenly distributed.
6. Spread batter in greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
7. Bake in 350 degrees F oven until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
8. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes.
9. Cut into 24 bars, about 2 1/4 x 2 inches each. Sprinkle date bars with powdered sugar.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 to 35 minutes
Makes: 24 bars

Remember to grate the peel before juicing the orange.

Nutrition Information Per Serving calories: 131 total fat: 6g saturated fat: 1g polyunsaturated fat: 2g monounsaturated fat: 3g cholesterol: 31mg sodium: 34mg carbohydrates: 19g dietary fiber: 2g protein: 2g

vitamin A: 52.9IU vitamin D: 6.8IU folate: 12.7mcg calcium: 29.2mg iron: 0.6mg choline: 24.9mg

Recipe and photo credit: American Egg Board.