Recipe: Holiday Date-Nut Bars (using raisins, nuts and orange peel)

HOLIDAY DATE-NUT BARS

"This was my grandmother's favorite recipe for Christmas cooking making. The dried fruit and nuts bring back memories of holidays for my mother, too. She and grandma have shared this recipe at their holiday cookie exchanges. I love it!" - Shelley Hepler

8 ounces pitted dates, chopped
1 cup chopped raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup sugar, divided use
1/4 pound (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon orange juice
Powdered sugar (for dusting tops)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 2 baking sheets; set aside.

In a large bowl, stir dates, raisins, walnuts, orange peel, cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar until fruit is coated with sugar; set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream butter, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and orange juice. Add date mixture. Stir until blended. Do not over mix. Dough will be very stiff. Divide dough into 4 portions. Shape 2 logs on each prepared baking sheet. Make logs about 12x2x1/2-inch.

Bake 15 minutes. Although they will be slightly brown, logs will feel very soft and underdone. They will become firm as they cool. Cool 15 minutes.

Cut diagonally into 3/4-inch bars. Dust with powdered sugar.

Source: by Shelley Hepler, Mermaids of the Lake
http://www.mermaidsofthelake.com/feature.asp?id=212