Win a Magical Cat Mystery

We're jumbling things up a little bit to keep you on your toes.  Our Easy Holiday Dinner begins tomorrow.  And keep sending your recipes to KristaDavis at KristaDavis dot com to enter our Christmas Cookie Contest.  We're standing by with mixers and cookie cutters at the ready!






Today, Sofie Kelly is visiting with a recipe that sounds so great I want to bake it immediately (and would if I had dates!).  Sofie Kelly is the author of the Magical Cats Mystery Series, and a longtime friend of mine.  I'm delighted to brag for her, because when my book recently made the New York Times Bestseller list, Sofie's was right there in the slot ahead of me at number 26.  The only thing better than making the list is making it with a friend! Learn more about Sofie at her website.

Here's Sofie ~


When the days get cooler I use my oven a lot more. I like the extra warmth it gives to the kitchen, and I like the smell of something delicious baking. And who am I kidding? I like eating whatever was baking.


Date squares are one of my favorite fall treats. With the dates and oatmeal they’re a pretty good source of fiber so I can feel a tiny bit virtuous when I eat a second one.

Date Squares

Filling:
2 cups of tightly packed, pitted dates
1 cup cold coffee
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ tablespoon orange juice

In a small pot mix the dates, coffee, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered until the mixture is thick and spreadable. Remove from heat and stir in the juices. Cool.

Crumbs:
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter (you can substitute margarine)
¾ cup brown sugar
1 ¼ cup oatmeal (I use quick-cooking oats)

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until the mixture is pea-like. Mix in brown sugar and oatmeal.
Press half the mixture into an 8 inch square baking pan. Spread date mixture evenly over the top. Top with the remaining crumbs, pressing down lightly.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes until lightly browned. Makes about two dozen date squares.


These are great with a big glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee. (They’re pretty good for breakfast, too, but you didn’t hear that from me.)
And how about a book or two to curl up with while you’re eating your date squares?



At the end of the day on Monday Krista will pick one name from comments and I’ll send that person a copy of Sleight of Paw in that kitty book tote and some other goodies from my giveaway cupboard. Could be books. Could be chocolate. Could be both. Won’t be date squares.

Good luck!

The mysterious Sofie Kelly!