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Low-fat Date Bars

To make these low-fat Date Bars, I replaced the white flour with oat flour and whole-wheat flour, took out some of the sugar and replaced the shortening with a smaller amount of butter. To make 1 cup of oat flour, blend 1 1/4 cups oatmeal in a blender or food processor until finely ground.

Makes 24 servings

• 2 cups dates, cut up
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water

In a small saucepan, combine the dates and 1 cup water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until dates and water combine to become a thick jam (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, flours, brown sugar, baking soda and cinnamon, and mix well. Using clean fingertips, mix in the butter to the flour-and-oatmeal mixture. Add the 1/4 cup water, a bit at a time, until the mixture is no longer dry and barely holds together when pressed in your hand but is still crumbly.

Place 3 cups of the crumbs in the bottom of the prepared pan and press to firm. Spread the date mixture over the top, and top with the rest of the crumbs. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Per serving: 135 calories, 3 g fat, 7 mg cholesterol, 82 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein, 3 g fiber.

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