Tu B’Shevat Bars

One of my traditions every year for Tu B'Shevat (the new year of the trees) is making Tu B'Shevat Bars. This recipe contains fruits from all three 'species': hard outer shell (orange, nuts), hard inner pit (dates), and entirely edible (carob, raisins, figs). The recipe uses fruits primarily found in Israel.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped dates
• ½ cup chopped figs
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• zest of 1 orange
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup carob powder
• 1½ cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

In a small bowl, combine the raisins, dates, figs, orange juice, and orange zest. Set this aside.

n a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, and sugar on a medium speed with an electric mixer. Add the honey slowly while continuing to beat on a medium speed. Beat in vanilla and carob powder until creamy. Stir in flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. Stir in nuts and fruit mixture by hand.

Spoon into a well-greased and floured 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake at 325˚F for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely and cut into bars.

Note: this recipe contains honey, which means that it will overbake if not watched carefully. Check the bars after 25 minutes, and then check every 4-5 minutes after that.

Yields about 40 bars.