Holiday Healthy Cookie Countdown Continues! Day 9 From Fitness Elements!

Maple Date Bars

Moist and chewy, these date-filled bars make a satisfying afternoon snack or a nice treat to bring into the office. They travel well, since you can let them cool in the baking pan and carry them. Or, for a prettier package, place them in a cookie tin divided by sheets of parchment paper.



Wrap these moist bars individually, or place them in a cookie tin between layers of wax or parchment paper.

Yield: 20 servings (serving size: 1 bar)
Ingredients

* 1 3/4 cups finely chopped pitted dates (about 12 ounces)
* 3/4 cup water
* 1/3 cup maple syrup
* 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 ounces)
* 1 cup regular oats
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* Cooking spray

Preparation

Combine dates, water, and maple syrup in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; cook 12 minutes or until most liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently. (Mixture will look like jam.) Stir in rind; cool completely.

Preheat oven to 400°.

Beat sugar and butter with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture (mixture will be crumbly). Press 2 cups flour mixture into bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Spread date mixture over flour mixture. Sprinkle with remaining flour mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information

Calories:
162 (28% from fat)
Fat:
5g (sat 2.3g,mono 2g,poly 0.3g)
Protein:
1.6g
Carbohydrate:
29.5g
Fiber:
1.8g
Cholesterol:
12mg
Iron:
0.7mg
Sodium:
78mg
Calcium:
14mg

Have a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season my Health & Fitness Friends!