Hey there, good-looking! We’ve missed you at the Cookie Party.

I know you’ve been busy shopping, visiting friends, writing Christmas cards, celebrating Chanukah, decorating the tree, reading Cybils-nominated books, and twirling yourself into a tizzy!

Come on over, you need a break!

Where else could you find Linda Urban (

) tickling the ivories with her Bada Bings?

Tilt your head back a little, so

 can toss a sugared cranberry or two into your mouth. There you go!

Can you hear Becky belting out her favorite Christmas carol, “Sugar Cookies?”

Things are getting wild here, folks. None of these cookies will be crumbling any time soon.

So here’s a longstanding favorite from Hawaii, perfect for any holiday gathering. Because it’s a bar cookie, you don’t have to mess around with batches or long baking times. Just pat the crust into a pan, pour over the topping, and bake. Biting into this rich, buttery shortbread cookie topped with brown sugar, walnuts, and chewy dates will surely jingle your bells. Believe me, you’ll impress your friends with this one.

DREAMY DATE BARS

CRUST:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup sifted flour

Mix butter, sugar and flour until crumbly. Press evenly into a 9×9 or 7×11″ pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes (do not brown crust) in 400 degree oven.

FILLING:

1/3 cup sifted flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup walnut bits
3/4 cup chopped dates
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Beat eggs and add brown sugar and dates and blend well. Add the flour mixture, vanilla and nuts. Spread over the baked crust and bake 30 minutes or until done in a 350 degree oven. Cut into squares or bars while hot.

TIPS:  Check bars after 28 minutes in the oven. It is better to slightly underbake than overbake.  Be prepared for new-found celebrity.

The party is just getting started! Waltz on over and post your cookie recipe, leaving the link in the comments. Or, email the recipe to readermail (at) jamakimrattigan (dot com).