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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Christmas Cookie

Hello Friends!

I am sharing another family favorite from my mother's recipe box. I believe this recipe was one of my Grandma Benson's as it has been in the family for years.

The name of this recipe is Christmas Cookies, but it is actually a bar. The combination of the tart apricots, sweet dates, and wholesome oats make for a festive party for your palate.

My brother, Chuck and I love this recipe. It is always on the Thanksgiving menu. He and I have a pact; I make Christmas Cookie for him and he makes pecan pie for me. It's a win-win deal!

Let's get baking!


Christmas Cookies

Filling

1 Cup Pitted Dates, cut into small pieces
3 1/2 Cups Drained Cooked Apricots (I use 2- 15 ounce cans)
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Water

Blend fruit with sugar and water in sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened (about 3 minutes). Cool slightly.

Crust

3/4 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Cups All-purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Blend shortening, sugar and vanilla until well combined. Sift flour and soda and mix with oatmeal. Add dry ingredients to the wet and work into a dough (it will be crumbly).

Press 1/2 the mixture on the bottom of a 9" x 13" greased pan. Spread the filling over the surface of the crust (make sure the apricots and dates are evenly distributed). Top with the remaining crumbs and press into the filling gently with a spoon.

Bake for 30 minutes in a 350* oven.

I'm linking to Johanna's International Christmas Cookie Exchange and Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday Thanksgiving Break.

22 comments:

  1. These look delicious, La!! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. They sound great, love that both you and your brother look forward to them! Pecan pie doesn't sound bad either! Happy Thanksgiving La:@)

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  3. Yummy . I have a brother named Chuck too :) I wish we would exchange food like that .

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  4. They sound delish! Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family :-)

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  5. Yum, but even yummier is a brother that cooks!!

    Carol Happy Thanksgiving!

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  6. That does sound really good. I love all those family traditions that begin this time of year. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Teresa

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  7. Oh my gosh...that looks sinfully delicious!

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  8. It's all about eatin where ever you are! Great share for the holiday :)

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  9. I have printed this recipe out! Dates and apricots are two of my favorite fruits!!

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  10. Too late to gather the ingredients for Turkey day so I'll plan on making these for Christmas. They look delicious and healthy.

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  11. mmmm ... that looks scruptious!!! my kind of treat!

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  12. That sounds so good! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. Hello La,
    thank you so much for joining my International Cookie Party with this wonderful recipe. Dates and apricots are my favours in desserts, so I will try your cookies also. How nice to change cookies with your brother.
    Wish you a wonderful time.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  14. Oh, that just looks incredibly delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

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  15. These sound wonderful...I love apricots and dates so together, they must be awesome.
    Have a wonderful holiday.
    love, bj

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  16. These must smell wonderful when they bake...yummy!

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  17. That looks delicious! So glad you shared the recipe, and lucky you to enjoy pecan pie in return-one of my own favorites! Happy Thanksgiving

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  18. That just looks delicious! I love Date Squares, so I just know I'll like this a lot.

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  19. The holidays make me fat just looking at the food. What a delight here today. Tahnk you for sharing and how swwet to have a man cooking. I know, my Sweets is a dream cook! Anne

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  20. My parents would adore this bar. I am going to print this out to make for them for Christmas! And I'm sure to leave some extra for this.

    I am thankful that you shared this recipe with us on this little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Thanksgiving break.

    And I love the fact that you and your brother exchange goodies in a wonderfully sweet tradition.

    Thank you for linking.

    A+

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  21. Thank you for what sounds like a wonderful recipe. what heritage or nationality does it come from?(since you linked it with international cookies)

    I hope you had a wonderful TG full of love and blessings!

    I am #36 on the list!
    Susan

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Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Please feel free to leave a comment. I read every message and appreciate that you took the time to say hello.

See you soon! La