Date-Walnut Honey Bars

Date-Walnut Honey Bars

Oatmeal Crust (recipe follows)
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup apple jelly
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
2 cups chopped pitted dates

Prepare the oatmeal crust. In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, jelly, and butter. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until the butter and jelly are melted. Stir often. Remove from the heat. In a large bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in the honey mixture. Pour half of the filling over each cooled, prepared crust. Spread evenly. Top each with the walnuts and dates. Bake in a preheated 350 F oven for 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Chill for 30 minutes. Cut each pan into 18 bars.
Makes 36 bars.

Oatmeal Crust: Place 3/4 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until the oats are finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in 2 cups flour. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1 cup butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon water over the mixture. Continue to blend until the mixture forms loose crumbs. Press evenly into the bottom of two 13 x 9 inch baking pans. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks