Food For the Gods

1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup coarsely chopped pitted dates
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 cup walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. F.
2. Grease and line a 13x9x2-inch rectangular pan.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
4. Take 1/2 cup of this mixture and dredge date. Set aside.
5. Cream butter until soft and fluffy. Add granulated and brown sugar and blend well. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition. Fold in the flour mixture and dates into the creamed mixture. Add walnuts; stir to completely blend batter.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. Lower heat to 300 deg. F and continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes longer.
7. Cool slightly then cut into bars. Individually wrap with a cellophane or colored foil.