Festive Fruitcake Bars

 

Ingredients

Bars

• 1

  cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
• 3/4

  cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2

  cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1

  teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/2

  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2

  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4

  teaspoon salt
• 1

  egg
• 1/4

  cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2

  cups candied cherries
• 1

  package (8 ounces) pitted dates, cut in half
• 1

  cup coarsely chopped pecans or filberts

Orange Glaze

• 1/3

  cup granulated sugar
• 2

  tablespoons orange juice

Steps

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.

2 In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.

3 Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4  In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.