DATE BARS

Date Bars
This is the recipe from Candace. She use to bring them to Pacific Yurts.  They are super yummy!
 
Filling:
 
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups chopped dates
1 1/2 cups sour cream (I use plain yogurt)
1 tsp maple extract (I use vanilla)
3 egg yolks
 
Base & Topping:
 
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
 
Heat oven to 350.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan.  In med. saucepan  combine all filling ingredients.  Cook over med. heat until thickened slightly, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and beat with a hand mixer for a few minutes to break up the dates a bit more.  It doesn't have to be completely smooth.  Set aside.
 
Mix all base & topping ingredients.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups for topping.  Press remaining oat mixture evenly in bottom of greased pan.  Add filling and spread evenly over base.  Then sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups over the top.  
 
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until top is a light golden brown.