Festive Fruitcake Bars

 

1

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/2

cup butter or margarine, softened

1

teaspoon grated orange peel

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4

teaspoon salt

1

egg

1/4

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2 1/2

cups candied cherries

1

package (8 ounces) pitted dates, cut in half

1

cup coarsely chopped pecans or filberts

1/3

cup granulated sugar

2

tablespoons orange juice

• 1 Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.
• 2 In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
• 3 Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• 4 In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.