Salcha River Molasses-Date Bars

A Steller Sea Lions challenging a seagull.

 Sea lions are my favorite marine animal that I've seen here in Alaska. Everyone gets all excited over the whales and porpoises and even the puffins, but I don't know there is just something about the sea lions. Here in fjords we have Steller Sea Lions.

In most places sea lions are so numerous that they are actually considered pests but in Alaska they are endangered. For about 20 years now the sea lions population has been in a decline but it is starting to level off. A lot of research has been done on why they have been declining here in hopes to increase their population. Sea lions can grow to be up to 9ft in length. Adult females weigh anywhere from 550 to 750 lbs. Bulls can get up 1,200 lbs. Woody, the male sea lion at the Alaska Sea Life Center, is the heaviest he's ever been at 2,396 lbs.

Sometimes the sea lions will fight each other for better positions on the rocks (the big bulls always get the highest spots). Sometime they jump back in the water and swim around or eat. Most of the time they just lay out on the rocks to conserve energy.

Salcha River Molasses-Date Bars

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup pecans, chopped
8-ounces pitted dates, chopped

Cream butter, sugar, and molasses until light; add egg and beat until light and fluffy. Sift togther dry ingredeints, add 3/4 cup of the pecans and the dates. Mix well.

Put batter into a lightly greased and floured 9-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, make Cinnamon Frosting.

Remove pan from oven. While bars are still warm drizzle with frosting and sprinkle with remaining chopped pecans. Cool in pan, then cut into bars.

CINNAMON FROSTING
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons hot milk
Dash of salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.