Oatmeal Bars with Dates and Walnuts

Use a blender or food processor to grind the rolled oats; 1 1/4 cups rolled oats will yield 1 cup ground. Ingredients Makes 2 dozen 1 cup finely ground old-fashioned rolled oats 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon allspice 2 cups packed light-brown sugar 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 3 large eggs 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups walnuts (5 1/2 ounces), toasted and chopped 1 cup dates (5 ounces), pitted and chopped Vegetable-oil cooking spray

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together ground oats, flour, 1 cup whole oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice in a large bowl; set aside. 2. Put brown sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. 3. Reduce speed to low. Add oat mixture, and mix until just combined. Mix in walnuts and dates. 4. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread batter evenly in dish. Scatter remaining 1/2 cup whole oats over top. Bake until golden and a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.Cool completely in pan on a wire rack; cut into bars.