Date Cranberry Paste Recipes

DATE & CRANBERRY PASTE

Steps:

• Chop dates and dried cranberries finely.
• Place the chopped ingredients in a small saucepan on a medium heat and add the lemon juice.
• As the mixture warms up the dates will begin to break down. If the mixture becomes dry add water as necessary.
• Cook for 20 minutes and keep an eye on the water levels. The finished mixture should be reasonably think should have a shine to it. Note that when it cools it will have a thicker consistency.
• Place mixture in a small ramekin and allow to cool. Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
• Optionally you can place the mixture in a food processor and blend until smooth.

CRANBERRY DATE BARS

Steps:

• 1. In a saucepan, over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates, and water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and set aside.
• 2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in butter until well blended.
• 3. Pat half the oat mixture into an ungreased 13"x9"x2" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. Pat gently.
• 4. Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes or until browned. Cool.
• 5. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars. Yield: 3 dozen bars.
• 6. You might want sometimes to serve bar cookies with ice cream. Not so with these! They're so yummy by themselves that nothing else is needed except, maybe, a good cup of coffee.
• 7. Susan uses only half the glaze recipe, but I LOVE confectioners' sugar, so I use all of it!

CRANBERRY DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place cranberries, dates and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until berries pop, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla., Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir in melted butter. Press half of the mixture into an ungreased 13x9-in. pan. Bake 8 minutes. , Spoon cranberry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture; pat down gently. Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes longer. Cool completely on a wire rack., Mix glaze ingredients. Drizzle over top.

CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH DATES AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Simmer water, sugar, zest, juice, vinegar, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring, 3 minutes. Add half of dates and half of cranberries and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries begin to burst, about 7 minutes. Stir in remaining dates and cranberries and simmer until remaining cranberries begin to burst, about 7 minutes more. Serve at room temperature.

CRANBERRY AND CARAMEL DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven 350°F.
• In bowl, combine cranberries and 2 tablespoons sugar.
• In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour,oats,remaining 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar and soda.
• Add butter and mmx well (pastry blender works well).
• Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture.
• Press remainder firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle dates, walnuts and cranberry mixture over crust.
• Mix caramel topping and remaining 1/3 cup flour; Spoon over fruit and walnuts.
• Top with reserved crumb mixture.
• Bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown.
• Cool.
• Cut into bars.