I got this recipe from my Father.
When I was small my Father was a millwright and worked in heavy
construction. If there were no construction jobs available he worked as a baker. He was a very good baker. He called these date bars "Princess Squares" when he brought them home to my sisters and me. So I've always called them "Princess Squares".
When I was small my Father was a millwright and worked in heavy
construction. If there were no construction jobs available he worked as a baker. He was a very good baker. He called these date bars "Princess Squares" when he brought them home to my sisters and me. So I've always called them "Princess Squares".DATE FILLING
8 cups pitted dates
3 cups brown sugar
water to cover
First Make The Date filling:
In sauce pot put dates, brown sugar and just enough water to cover the dates. Bring to a boil and turn down to medium low and simmer till dates are tender-mushy. Puree with hand mixer.
The filling doesn't have to be completely smooth, it can be lumpy.
Cool.
This will make enough date filing for more than one batch of date bars. If you are not going to use it all right away it will keep in the refrigerator for a week or you can freeze the rest for later use.
For Date Bars:
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups brown sugar
4 cups flour
2 cups butter blend
1 cup chopped pecans
3 cups bakers coconut
1. In your mixer, cream brown sugar and butter together till fluffy. Add Flour on lowest speed till incorporated.
2. Add pecans and coconut. The cookie dough should be pretty dry and somewhat crumbly.
3. Press half of the cookie mix into the bottom of sheet pan. Pat it out as evenly as possible. Use a rolling pin to make sure it is pressed down evenly all over.
Spread date jam filling on top evenly to about 1/4" to 1/2" thick.
4. Crumble the other half of the cookie mix over the top of the date jam covering the entire top as evenly as you can.
5. Use rolling pin and very gently roll and press and even out the top.
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes till light golden brown.
Cool and cut into squares.