Jam dandy date bars (The great american bake sale)

     Make an extra batch of date jam before baking these. It's wonderful on a slice of warm cinnamon toast !

Makes 3 dozen

• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup butter or margarine

Date jam

• 1½ cups (8-ounces package) chopped pitted dates
• ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)

1. For the date jam, combine all the ingrédients of the date jam in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil ; simmer 5 minutes until mixture resembles a thick paste ; cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, nuts and salt ; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Reserve 2 cups for topping and press remainder into bottom of greased 9 x 13-inch pan ; spread with cooled date jam and sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
4. Bake 25 to 35 minutes until golden.
5. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

Note : Try doubling this date jam recipe for special gifts. Pack jam into sterilized jars. Decorate tops of jars with squares of gingham, tied with twine.

BON APPETIT