Grandpa's Fruit Bars

Name: Grandpa's Fruit Bars
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 75 squares
Ingredients: 3/4 cups raisins; 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates; 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur; 1/2 cup butter or margarine, at room temperature; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 whole egg; 1 egg, separated; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; Grated peel of 1/2 orange; 1 3/4 cups flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts; 1/2 teaspoon water

By Marialisa Calta

Total Time: 50 minutes
Rating: 4(5)
Comments: Read comments

Featured in: FOOD; True Confections

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Ingredients

Yield:75 squares

¾cups raisins
½cup chopped pitted dates
2tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur
½cup butter or margarine, at room temperature
½cup sugar
½cup packed brown sugar
1whole egg
1egg, separated
1teaspoon vanilla extract
1teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼teaspoon nutmeg
Grated peel of ½ orange
1¾cups flour
½teaspoon baking soda
1cup coarsely chopped walnuts
½teaspoon water

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
In a small bowl, combine the raisins, dates and liqueur. Set aside.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Step 3
In a large bowl, beat together the butter or margarine, the two sugars, the whole egg, the egg white and the vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 4
Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, if using, flour and baking soda until thoroughly blended. Add the nuts and the macerated fruit. The dough will be sticky.
Step 5
Using well-floured hands or the back of a spoon, press the dough into a foil-lined, 10-by-15-inch jellyroll pan.
Step 6
Mix the yolk and the water. Using a pastry brush, brush the dough with the egg wash.
Step 7
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is light golden. Cool 10 minutes, then cut into 1-by-2-inch bars.