Oatmeal Date Bars Recipe with an Instructional Video

Cookie bars are always great for summer gatherings, pot luck dinners and casual parties. They are easily portable and your guests can just eat them with their hands. This Oatmeal Date Bars recipe is two layers of a cookie-type crust sandwiching a gooey layer of sweet dates.

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Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and these little wonders have increased in popularity as an ingredient in pastries. They have a chewy texture and a naturally sweet flavor – making it easier to use less processed sugar in recipes. As an added bonus they contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Want a vegan bar? No problem – simply substitute the butter in the recipe with margarine! Want a nut-free option? Again, no problem, substitute the almond flour with all-purpose flour.

Oatmeal Date Bars

5 from 10 votes

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Course Dessert

Servings 18

Equipment

• Hand Mixer or
• Stand Mixer
• 10 Inch Square Pan or
• 9 inch by 13 inch Pan

Ingredients

  

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Filling

• 2 Cups Dates, pitted and chopped
• 66 Grams Granulated Sugar (⅓ Cup)
• 1 Cup Water (8 fluid ounces)
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
• 50 Grams Almond Flour (use all purpose flour if nut-free is desired) (½ Cup)

Dough

• 170 Grams Unsalted Butter, room temperature (¾ Cup or 1 ½ Sticks)
• 213 Grams Brown Sugar (1 Cup, packed)
• 150 Grams All-Purpose flour (1 ¼ Cup)
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• ½ tsp Salt
• 100 Grams Oatmeal, Old Fashioned (1 ¼ Cup)

Instructions

 

Prepare Pan

• Spray pan with nonstick baking spray and place strips of parchment paper in bottom of pan so the parchment extends over the four pan sides.

Prepare Date Filling

• Chop dates into small chunks.
• Place dates, water and granulated sugar in a medium-size saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, stir often. Reduce to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened, stirring occasionally (approximately 4 – 6 minutes)
• Remove from heat and add the almond flour and vanilla. Stir until absorbed.
• Set aside to cool completely.

Make Cookie Base

• Preheat oven to 350° F
• Sift or whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
• Place softened butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment begin mixing on medium speed. Continue to mix until the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy (approximately 2 – 3 minutes). Note: a hand mixer may also be used
• Add the flour, baking soda and salt mixture. Mix for 20 – 30 seconds.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer and mix in the oatmeal. Note: the dough will be crumbly.
• Pour half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Using your hands, lightly press the dough down so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan.
• Pour the date mixture over the dough in the pan and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle the second half of the dough over the dates so it is evenly distributed.

Bake

• Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Cool completely before removing from pan.
• Unmold by pulling up on sides of parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Remove parchment from bottom of the bar. Cut into desired shapes.

Video

Keyword date bars, desserts with dates, oatmeal date bars

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