Sticky Date Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups pitted dates, chopped
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tbsp (3/4 cup) butter, chopped
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp baking soda
3 None eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups self-rising flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
None None FOR THE CARAMEL ICING
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
2 tbsp sour cream
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F. Lightly grease and line a 12 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, extending the paper over long sides for handles.
Place dates and 1 cup water in a large saucepan on high heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar, butter, maple syrup and baking soda. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and set aside for 10 mins to cool. Stir in eggs.
Sift flour and spices into a large bowl. Fold in date mixture. Spoon into prepared pan, smoothing top.
Bake for 25-30 mins, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 mins. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
For the caramel icing, place brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan on low heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Blend in sour cream. Bring to a boil on high heat. Remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Cool until icing is of spreadable consistency. Spread over top of dessert. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.