This recipe (the first submitted to the Ranch Table Rolodex) is from Cynthia who lives by the beautiful McKenzie River in Springfield, Oregon. This is a recipe that her mother, Pat, used to always make for special occasions. Cynthia described her mother as an “incredibly creative stay-at-home mom” who sewed all of her children's wardrobes (including their Barbie’s) and loved to make sweets. Cynthia also shared a photo of the recipe card with her mother’s handwriting. What a gift! I was drawn to this recipe right away because of the story and all the happy times that surrounded this sweet treat. I also love making everything and anything with dates so I was thrilled to make this recipe and so thankful to Cynthia for sharing her mother’s story with us.

Cynthia’s Mother’s Matrimony Bars (Date Bars)

Makes 9 to 12 bars

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 ½  hour (including cooling time)

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾  cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 ¾  cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ½ teaspoon of salt 
• 8 oz of pitted dates (cut into ½ inch pieces)
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter. Set aside. 
3. In a medium saucepan place dates, water and granulated sugar over medium heat. Cook until the dates are soft and the sugar dissolves. About 5-10 minutes. Pull off heat.
4. Pat down half the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5.  While the date mixture is still warm, spread over the oat mixture in the pan.
6. Cover the date mixture with the remaining oat mixture.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top looks golden brown.
8. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Below is Pat's original rolodex card:

This was such a fun and delicious recipe to make! I am so grateful to be able to share it with you all and please be sure to join us and share a recipe on the Ranch Recipe Rolodex.

Watch the Instagram Reel here.

Warmly,

Elizabeth

Photographs by Anna Pata