These are completely addictive for the sweet fanatic. They're called sugarless, but dates have a lot of naturally occurring sugar in them. As usual, I'll post the original recipe, then say how I adapted it.

Sugarless Bars

2 cup pitted dates

1/2 cup pitted prunes

1/2 cup chopped raisins

1 cup water

1/2 cup margarine

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1 Cut dates and prunes into small pieces. Boil dates, prunes, raisins, and water for 5 minutes. Add margarine. Mix and set aside to cool.

2 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

3 Mix the eggs, vanilla and nuts. Add to the fruit mixture. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt and add to the fruit mixture. (If you want a spicy bar add 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg to the flour.)

4 Spread in 7 x 11 inch pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Servings Per Recipe 20

Per Serving
Calories 125 Total Fat 7.1g Saturated Fat 1.1g Cholesterol 21mg
Total Carbohydrates 14.5g Dietary Fiber 1.2g


I didn't have prunes, so I threw in some dried pears. You can leave them out completely because the dates are plenty. I saw another identical recipe except that it called for 1/2 C each dates and prunes.

I put the full 1/2 C butter this time, but next time I will make with 1/4 C or try with none. The butter really adds a nice flavor, but oil would be fine.

I added 1/2 C wheat germ for extra fibre. Next time, I might add a full cup.

Add whatever else you like. Skim milk powder for extra calcium, protein powder for extra protein....

I just can't stop eating these they are so yummy.