Recipe: Orange-Date Pumpkin Bars

ORANGE-DATE PUMPKIN BARS

"Moist, chewy bars with a refreshing touch of orange. These need no frosting; dust with icing sugar if desired."

2 eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square or 11x7-inch cake pan (or use nonstick).

In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat together eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Beat in pumpkin and orange rind. Set aside.

In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Stir into creamed mixture. Stir in dates and nuts. Spread batter in prepared cake pan.

Bake in 350 degrees F oven (or 325 degree F oven if using glass or dark non-stick pan) for 25 to 30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Let cool and cut into small bars. Store in airtight container; can be frozen.

Makes 2 dozen
Source: Homemaker's Magazine, November 1999