Maple Nut Date Bars (GFCF)

• 1 3/4 cup finely chopped pitted dates
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter substitute, softened (like Earth's Balance Buttery spread)
• 1 cup All-Purpose GFCF Flour (like Bob's Red Mill)
• 1/2 tsp/ Xanthan gum
• 1 cup Quinoa Flakes (or 1 cup GFCF Bob's Red Mill GFCF Oats, it's new)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400.

Combine dates, water and syrup in heavy saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil and cook about 10 minutes until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring often.  (Mixture will look like gooey jelly).  Stir in rind and cool.

Beat sugar and butter until smooth.  Combine flour, xanthan gum, oats (or quinoa), baking soda and salt.  Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture.  Mixture will be crumbly.  Press 2 cups of flour mixture into bottom of 13 by 9 in. baking pan, coated with cooking spray.  Spread date mixture over flour mixture.  Top with remaining flour mixture.  Bake at 400 for 20 minutes until golden brown.  Cool on rack.  Makes 20 bars.

Notes:  If you just gluten-free, and are able to use Pamela's Baking Mix instead of the flour you can omit the xanthan gum and the baking soda. (Pamela's has a hint of casein in it and some can tolerate but others cannot).

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