Spring fancies!

3 taste surprises from raisins and Betty Crocker Date Bar Mix

Raisin-Date Cake recipe

1 package Betty Crocker Date Bar Mix
1/2 cup hot water
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup raisins, chopped

Heat over to 375 F (quick mod). Lightly grease a square pan, 8x8x2″. Mix date filling and hot water. Blend in crumb mixture and rest of ingredients thoroughly. Spread in prepared pan. Bake about 30 min, or until golden brown. 9 to 12 servings.

Serve warm with Lemon Raisin Sauce.

Lemon Raisin Sauce: Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp water, 1 egg (well beaten), 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in 1/2 cup raisins. Serve warm.

Raisin-Date Sticks recipe

1 package Betty Crocker Date Bar Mix
1/2 cup hot water
1 egg
1 cup raisins

Heat over to 375 F (quick mod). Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spread in lightly greased oblong pan, 12×9 1/2×2″. Bake about 20 min. Spread top thinly with Lemon Glaze (below) while warm. Cut into small sticks. Makes 2-1/2 dozen 3×1″ bars.

Lemon Glaze: Blend 3 tbsp soft butter and 1-1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar. Stir in 1-1/2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 to 3 tsp grated lemon rind until smooth.

Raisin-Date Drop Cookies recipe

1 package Betty Crocker Date Bar Mix
1/4 cup hot water
1 egg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup raisins

Heat oven to 400 F (mod hot). Mix date filling and hot water. Add crumbly mixture, egg and cinnamon. Blend. Add raisins; mix thoroughly. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2″ apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 2-1/2 dozen cookies.