Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and coat a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Combine the dates and water and cook in the microwave on high, covered, until dates are very soft (about 5 minutes; check and stir every minute). Drain, reserving the cooking liquid, and puree the dates with the vanilla in a food processor, adding cooking liquid if necessary to make a smooth paste. Turn the date puree into a large mixing bowl and cream in the sugar with an electric mixer. Blend in the egg whites 1/3 at a time. In a small bowl, stir together the flour and cocoa powder. Add to the puree and mix well by hand. Stir in chips. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake on the middle rack until a pick inserted in the center comes out with a bit of chocolate clinging to it, approximately 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, chill for several hours or overnight, and cut into 18 bars. This recipe yields 18 brownies. Variation: Add 1/2 cup butterscotch, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.

joecomiskey@netzero. Net" Yield: "18 brownies"