Date and Muesli Bars

I am well and truly swamped with work. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Its what every new business wishes for but unfortunately it has coincided with half term. This means I have two kids at home to entertain as well as working through all the emails, spreadsheets and database stuff that has to be done THIS WEEK.  I am burning the midnight oil most nights, and I am not a night person (just ask hubby).

Back to the food and I have these Date and Muesli bars to thank for keeping me going through the long dark nights sat at my laptop. They are sweet, moreish and gooey - what better company could I ask for?

Date and Muesli Bars

Ingredients: Makes 16 squares

200ml Water

200g Stoned Dates

175g Plain Wholemeal Flour

1/2 TSP Bicarb of Soda

175g Light Muscavado Sugar

100g Natural Sugar Free Muesli

175g Butter, diced

Method:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180c, grease and line the base of a 20 x 20cm tin.

Step 2: Place the Water and Dates in a pan and bring to a low simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 3: In a bowl sift together the flour and bicarb then stir through the sugar and muesli. Rub the butter in with your fingertips until clumps form.

Step 4: Press half muesli mixture into the tin then top with the date mixture. Finally spread the other half of the muesli mixture on top and pat down gently. Bake for 35 minutes in the oven. Cool before cutting into squares.

Developed from Rachel Allen 'Date Bar' recipe in Bake