Pear Date Streusel Bars

recipe ingredients
1 can (16 ounces) pear halves in extra light syrup
8 ounces chopped dates
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup reduced calorie margarine

recipe directions
Drain pear juice into small saucepan. Finely chop pears and add to juice in pan, along with dates. Bring to boiling over medium high heat. Reduce heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened; remove from heat and cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray 9×13 baking pan with nonstick spray. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Cut in margarine until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of mixture for topping, and press remaining mixture in bottom of baking pan. Bake 15 minutes. Carefully spread date mixture over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture, pressing lightly. Bake about 30 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Cool completely before serving.

Other Suggested Recipes:

• Fruit Walnut Bars
• Energy Bars
• Apple Upside-Down Date-Nut Gingerbread Cake
• Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
• Dried Cherry Streusel Kuchen