Frosted Orange Date Bars

I think dates get overlooked. I love dates. Today at Cub Foods, they had dates for sale; whole delicious dark dates! I think it's sad that dates have fallen out of favor with our desserts and pastries. My suggestion is; find a recipe that uses raisins and change it out for dates or at least 1/2 raisins and 1/2 dates. These little bars are so delicious and full of yummy ingredients, you'll make them again and again.

Bars:
3/4 c. sugar 1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. water 1 (8 oz) package chopped dates
1 1/4 c. flour 1 c. chopped pecans
3/4 c. milk 1/4 c. orange juice
2 eggs 3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt 1 T. grated orange peel

Frosting:
3 c. powdered sugar 1/3 c. butter, softened
1 (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 T. grated orange peel 2 - 3 T. orange juice

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan, combine sugar, 1/2 c. butter, water and dates. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until dates are softened (5-8 minutes). Remove from heat.

2. By hand, stir in all remaining bar ingredients until well mixed. Spread into greased 15x10x1" jelly-roll pan. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.

3. In a small mixing bowl combine all frosting ingredients except orange juice. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often and adding enough orange juice for desired spreading consistency. Frost bars; cut.