Lemon-Glazed Persimmon Bars

A spice cookie bar made with persimmons, dates and walnuts topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 large egg
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup persimmon pulp
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine egg, sugar, and finely chopped dates in a bowl; mix well. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice and baking soda. Add a mixture of flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves alternately with puréed persimmons, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chopped walnuts.
3. Spread in a greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until light brown. Cool for 5 minutes.
4. Glaze with a mixture of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Makes 24 bars.