Sugarless Dessert Bars Sweetened with Dried Fruits

If you are looking for a recipe that is sugarless - meaning no added sugars or artificially sweetened - try this recipe. It is sweetened naturally with dried fruits, like raisins, dates, and dried prunes. If desired, for a different taste use other dried fruits, like those in the photo: dried apricots, dried cranberries, or dried blueberries.

Sugarless Dried Fruit Dessert Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 chopped dates
• 1/2 cup dried raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped dried prunes (dried plums)
• 1 cup water
• 1 stick of butter or margarine
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Procedure:

1. Place the dates, raisins, and prunes in a small saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, and simmer slowly for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add in the stick of butter or margarine, and stir to melt. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
2. Whisk the eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, and salt together. Add in the the dried fruit mixture.
3. Stir in the chopped nuts.
4. Transfer the mixture into a greased and floured baking pan, and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center tests done and the top is lightly browned.
5. Let cool, and cut into bars before serving.