Date Chews - dates

Method

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.
• Place dates and flour in food processor.
• Pulse to combine, then process until dates are finely chopped.
• Scrape mixture into a large bowl.
• Add nuts to food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
• Add date-flour mixture back to processor along with baking powder and salt and quickly pulse to break up sticky dates and create a uniform mixture.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, beat eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla together until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
• Add about one third of date-flour mixture and mix on low speed.
• Gradually add remaining date-flour mixture, mixing just until blended.
• Scrape into baking pan, spreading evenly.
• Bake until an even light golden brown all over, about 40 minutes; toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
• Place pan on rack to cool for 5 minutes.
• Cut into 36 bars (6 x 6) while still warm.
• Place confectioners sugar in a small bowl.
• Roll each square in it to coat completely while still warm, shaping the squares into rough barrel shapes as you go.
• Each cookie will be a unique, rustic shape.
• Place each cookie on rack to cool completely.