Oatmeal, Date and Pecan Squares.

First of all, I am very exited and honoured to receive this beautiful Mammoth Pecans as a gift from the Pecan Company. Last month, when I had posted my Egg less Sweet and Savory Pecan cookies, Jessica dropped by and mentioned about a contest in her company and asked me to send this recipe over. I just sent it over and they told that they will prepare, taste and then select recipes that will be published on their website. The recipes which got selected received this beautiful 1 Lb packet of Pecans. All thanks goes to Jessica who mentioned about this contest. I am really very honoured and also exited on receiving this, as I have not won anything before. It really makes you happy and also motivates you, when you receive such gifts. Hurray!!

So, coming to the recipe, this is a easy and healthy bars. Very soft and has crunchy bite to it while eating.

Ingredients: Pitted dates(coarsely Chopped) – 8 oz or 1 cup Orange juice – 1 ½ cup All purpose flour – 2 ½ cups Brown sugar ( firmly packed) – 1 ½ cup Salt – ½ tsp (optional) Margarine or butter – ¾ pound (3 sticks cut into pieces) Quaker Oats (Quick or Old fashioned, uncooked) – 2 cups Unsweetened shredded coconut – 1 ½ cup Pecans – 1 cup Method:

• Preheat oven to 350 deg.
• In a medium saucepan, combine dates and orange juice, bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.
• Mix the butter pieces to this and combine till they are crumbly.
• Stir in oats, 1 cup coconut and nuts.
• Remove 4 cups oat mixture for topping.
• Press remaining oat mixture evenly onto bottom of an ungreased 13 by 9 inch baking pan.
• Spread date mixture over crust to within1/4 inch of edges.
• Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture. Then sprinkle with remaining ½ cup coconut, patting gently.
• Bake for 35-40 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
• Cut into squares.

My Oatmeal, Date Pecan Squares are off to "Sunday Snacks - Grab n Go" hosted by Pallavi.