Chocolate Date Bars

Oat-date bars studded with miniature semisweet chocolate chips and sweetened with pure golden honey.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups hot water
8 ounces chopped pitted dates
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda - divided use
3/4 cup liquid honey
1/4 cup soft butter or margarine
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rolled (quick) oats
1 (12-ounce) package miniature chocolate chips (2 cups) - divided use
1 cup chopped nuts

Cooking Directions:

1. Simmer water, dates and 1 teaspoon soda together in saucepan for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan; set aside.
3. In large mixing bowl, cream honey with butter until fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Sift together flour, salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon soda. Blend into creamed mixture.
6. Stir in dates and liquid, vanilla, rolled oats one half the chocolate chips.
7. Spread batter into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and the nuts over top.
8. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.

Makes 24 bars.

Recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board.