Apple-Date Oatmeal Bars

Another Paula Deen - and Ben says they're amazing - I think they're pretty amazing too. I added a glaze which I think makes them even better and I also made them using all soft white wheat instead of white flour and they were still great.


Glaze:
1 c. or so of powdered sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tblsp. milk (if this is too runny, just add more powdered sugar)
Stir this really well and put into a sandwich bag.  Make a very small cut in the corner of the bag and drizzle
over bars when totally cooled.

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 c. flour
2 c. oatmeal
2 tsp. baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13x9-inch cake pan with foil.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars at medium speed with a mixer until fluffy.  Add egg, beating until combined.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, and baking powder.  Gradually add to butter mixture; beat until combined
4. Reserve 1 1/2 c. dough.  Press remaining dough into prepared pan.  Spread Apple-Date Filling over dough.  Spoon reserved 1 1/2 c. dough by tablespoons over filling.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Apple-Date Filling

2 large or 3 small braeburn/grannysmith/or good tasting apple, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Tblsp. sugar
3 Tblsp. water
1 Tblsp. fresh lemon juice
1 (10-oz.) pkg. chopped dates

1. In a medium saucepan, combine apples, sugar, 3 Tblsp. water, and lemon jujice.  Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes or until apples are slightly tender.  Add dates, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat, and cool for 15 min.