When I was a kid, we use to go to a bakery in the Big Towne Mall in Mesquite, TX. Parents bought us cookies or bars that had dates in them. They were about 1 1/2 wide & 2 ins' long & not real thick. Maybe 1/2 in thick. I have yet to find a recipe for these. They were darker than toll house & not golden brown. Anybody got any ideals? Also they very chewy. Just remember how good they were.

mmmm they sound yummy

Hey Bev. Haven't noticed you posting much lately. You doing OK?

I don't have those; but I do have a recipe for date nut cookies that are quite tasty.

A lot of calories I won't eat, sounds awful to me.

can you post the recipe, please, thanks

MMMM, sound so good! I had a cake or bars once at a baby shower, I thought it was chocolate, but made with dates. I couldnt believe it, but it was the BEST!

The following is a Date Bar Cookie recipe that was from my grandmother who was 92 when she passed away in 1980 and is a favorite in our family and with our friends.

Cream together: 2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add: 1 cup flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Then add: 1 pound dates, chopped
1 cup nuts, chopped

Beat until dates are mixed into batter. Batter will be quite thick. Bake in 9x9-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350º oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Be careful not to overbake. Cool completely and then cut into bars. Store in airtight container. Freeze very well.

Note – I double the recipe and bake in a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper.

Also, note that this recipe has no oil, butter or shortening. The dates I use are bought bulk that are typically more moist than your box-packaged dates. I buy locally from the Houston Pecan Company in Houston, TX.

Recently I learned from my cousin that she had the same recipe from her grandmother and the only difference was that instead of the 1 pound of dates, her recipe called for 1/2 pound dates and 1/2 cup coconut. I am sure the coconut would help with moistness in the cookie.

Date Nut Rolls
1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped 1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup chopped walnuts


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Grease and line a 9 x 13 inch pan.
Combine first 4 ingredients. Take 1/2 cup of flour mixture and dredge the dates.
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well after every addition. Gradually stir in flour mixture.
Add dates and walnuts and stir until completely combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Lower heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and bake for 30-40 minutes or until done.
Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes and cut into bars. Wrap individually with foil or colored cellophane wrap.

I may have to try that recipe! It looks so easy!

I love you advatar pic! What kind of quilt pattern is it?

Here is another date cookie I make, and it is very easy!

Southern Rice Krispie Date Balls
1 stick butter (or margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 pack of chopped dates (8 oz.)
2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 tsp. vanilla
confectioners sugar (enough to roll balls)
Directions:

Put butter, sugar, and chopped dates in a sauce pan. Cook on medium low heat until dates are melted. This takes about 8 minutes.

Take off heat and stir in Rice Krispies and vanilla.

You can also add a cup of chopped nuts if you like. Pecans are good.

Pour date mixture in a pan and let it cool. You don't want it totally cold, but you don't want it so hot it hurts your hands.

Take pieces of the mixture and shape into balls. It helps if you put a little butter on your fingers to do this.

Roll balls in confectioners sugar.

Wow, thanks for all of the recipes!

My recipe is similar to Bessie's grandmother's. Mine is an old family favorite straight from Betty Crocker's 1956 cookbook.

DATE-NUT SQUARES

Beat until foamy: 2 eggs

Beat in: 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Sift together and stir in: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sale

(I don't think you have to sift anymore.)

Mix in 1/2 cup cut-up walnuts
2 cups cut-up pitted dates

Spread in a well-gressed 8" square pan (lined with parchment works well, too.)

Bake @ 325 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Top will have a dull crust.

Cut into squares, cool. If desired, roll in confectioner's sugar and shake off the excess.

These are rich and sweet and were always a special treat at Christmas because back then you could get dates only at that time of year, at least in Pittsburgh!

Yummy