My gift to my mom and my sister this year was Date Bar in a Jar.  Now, for those who were fortunate enough to enjoy Betty Crocker’s Date Bar Mix a few years back (they no longer make it), this recipe is as close as it gets.  BC used to have this great boxed mix that we loved sooo much, my mother used to send it to me by the case when I lived in Alaska and couldn’t buy it there.  This stuff is addicting, delicious, and easy to make. 

So, I made them the jars and attached the following note.  For those interested in reproducing the recipe, it’s in the note, you just have to pick it out…

 I am “Date Bar in a Jar”!   Glad to meet you!!

You don’t need much to make me complete – just a cup of butter or margarine (I don’t like vegetable oil spreads, though) and a cup and a half of water!   That’s all!

First, use my big bag called “Date Bar Mix”.   This is 3 cups of chopped dates and about 1/3 cup of sugar.   Put me in a pan with the water and cook me on medium heat for about 10 minutes – you have to stir me a lot though!   After I’ve gotten nice and tender, cool me off a little.   Now I really like being blended a little more right now – in a food process or a blender – but it’s not necessary.   ’sup to you.

Now, take my other bag that looks like it has a cup of brown sugar in it.   Surprise!   That’s all I am!   You’re going to mix me with the softened butter that I talked about before.   Then pour in the rest of my jar.   That means you’re pouring in about 2 cups of oats, 1 ¾ cups of flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of baking soda.   Mix me until I’m crumbly… yummy!

Now put half of the oats mixture in a 13×9 pan that you already greased with shortening or cooking spray.   Spread the cooled date mix onto that, then put the rest of the oat mix on top.   Press me everso slightly.   Now I’m ready to get hot and tasty at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes…

Now eat me.

 

ENJOY!  I’m off to try to upload the Christmas pics to show off…