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Best Date Bars Ever

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Best Date Bars Ever are two layers of a delectable oatmeal crust that are filled with a sweet date mixture then baked to vanilla/almond scented treat.

Best Date Bars Ever stacked high on a compote and also in front!


Best Date Bars Ever came to me while I was wanting to create a type of Fig Newton cookie.  Since Ed and I are date crazy I decided to go with dates instead of figs and also because they have so much natural sweetness.  I knew they would be easy to work with – so the process began.

I keep tackling recipes that I would have thought impossible for me o make – just a few years ago.  It is so exciting when I get all done and the recipe works. I want to tell everybody about it.  Especially a pastry type baked recipe like Best Date Bars Ever.

Anyway, I have to calm down and tell you all about the bars.  There are 2 layers of a delectable oatmeal crust that are filled with a sweet date mixture and baked to a vanilla/almond scented treat.  Please make them.  You will love them.  I guarantee.

 

Best Date Bars Ever are two layers of a delectable oatmeal crust, filled with a sweet date mixture - a vanilla/almond scented treat.
 

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Best Date Bars Ever are two layers of a delectable oatmeal crust, filled with a sweet date mixture - a vanilla/almond scented treat.
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The Best Date Bars Ever

The Best Date Bars Ever are three layers of heaven.

Course Dessert
Recipe Type Bars
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 24 bars
Calories 195 kcal
Author Ginny McMeans

Ingredients

  • Make the date filling first because it needs to cool.

Date Filling

  • 2 cups dates pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup almonds , finely ground - not to a meal but finely ground
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

Oat Crust

  • 3/4 cup dairy-free butter , softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar , packed
  • 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Date Filling

  1. Put the dates in a Food Processor, and chop to fine pieces.

  2. In a medium sized saucepan add chopped dates, water and sugar.

  3. Stir and cook over medium high heat and then turn down and cook until the mixture is thickened.
  4. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract and finely ground almonds.
  5. See it's thickness in the photo below. It is very very moist.
  6. Spoon into a bowl and let cool down because you will be pressing this out, with your fingers, onto the bottom layer of the crust.
  7. Lightly grease a 9" x 13" baking pan - set aside.

Oat Crust

  1. Cream the butter and brown sugar with a Hand Mixer, until light and fluffy. About 5 minutes.

  2. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Mix.

  3. Add the oats and mix well.
  4. It will be a crumbly mixture but it will press together.
  5. Sprinkle half the dough into the prepared baking pan.
  6. Press down with your fingers to an even layer all across the pan bottom.
  7. Now take the date mixture and dab teaspoons full here and there across the bottom layer in the pan. It will be easier to spread this way.
  8. With your fingers - gently press out the filling for a solid layer across the complete bottom of the crust.
  9. Sprinkle the rest of the dough over the filling layer.

  10. Make sure it is even. Then press the top crust with your hand to make a solid layer. I use my fingers and the palm of my hand. It doesn't take much pressure.

  11. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
  12. Cut into squares while it is still warm.
  13. Cut to make 4 squares across and 6 squares down and that will be 24 bars.

Recipe Notes

TO FREEZE:

A freezer bag or  rigid sided container would both work well.

They defrost quickly so it really doesn't take any planning. Just put them on a plate for an hour or two and enjoy.

 

 

Nutrition Facts
The Best Date Bars Ever
Amount Per Serving (1 Bar)
Calories 195 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 129mg 5%
Potassium 158mg 5%
Total Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 19g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin C 0.1%
Calcium 2.5%
Iron 4.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. Your comments state “you are going to process the date mixture after it cooks also”, but this is not mentioned in the recipe steps. Did you intend to add that step in the preparation of the date mixture?

  8. Yes, cut back on the dates and keep the measurement the same when adding the berries. You might have to go a little bit longer when you are cooking it because there will be more liquid coming out of the berries and you want to keep it thick enough for the layer. probably not more than 5 minutes. It sounds really good.

  13. These turned out great! I used a few substitutions based in what I had on hand and still delicious!!

  14. Thanks for the reply! Sunflower seeds are perfect, I never would have thought of them. I have a batch in the oven now and can’t wait to sample… (oh and I subbed maple extract for the almond extract too)

  15. Yes, there are substitutes, ground up oats is a good idea. You can also use a couple of things that are more nut like – ground up pumpkin seeds or ground up sunflower seeds (the meats). I buy those in containers that are already shelled. I found them at Sprouts and I think Trader Joe’s too.

  16. These look great! I’m wondering though if I could substitute something for the almonds. My son’s school has a nut restriction but I would love to send these for his snack. Maybe some ground up oats? :/

  18. I’ve got mine in the oven right now, will let you know:) Vegan butter was hard to find, so I wound up using a coconut oil I found in the health food store.

  20. I made your date bars this morning and they were truly wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

  21. That is great Letty! Your substitutions sound wonderful. Isn’t it fun to turn out something so good? Congratulations and I may just have to try your recipe too. 🙂

  22. These bars are super…. One thing I did was substitute orange juice for water, used no sugar and used walnuts with the dates rest was the same they turned out terrific soft in the middle crunchy on the bottom!!!! I just LOVE them and with less sugar!

  23. Hi Susan!!! When I started these I was going for the fig newton but I didn’t have any figs. So … date newtons. Ha! I believe that the figs will work perfectly.

  24. YUM!! Can’t wait to try these! We are all about dates in this house. Did you ever create your Fig Newtons? I just bought a bag of figs at Costco the other day and am looking for a good recipe to make some. Wonder if they would work in this recipe if I sub them for the dates? May have to try it… Thank you!!

  29. I made these this morning and they are REALLY good. Hubby likes them and that is the final test at our house. They are very sweet….A great treat!
    I needed to have them be gluten free so used my homemade GF flour blend, and only had 1/2 cup of vegan ‘butter’- (Earth Balance sticks), so used 1/4 cup of EB coconut oil spread to get to 3/4 cup ‘butter’.
    Thanks so much for the recipe and for your site…I use your ideas frequently.

  31. That is great! It is wonderful that you are such a good friend. I also love it when people find that they don’t have to be vegan to enjoy vegan food. 🙂

  32. These look fantastic! I am not vegan, but I have a new friend who is. Last week, I made your vegan chocolate lace cookies for her and she loved them! I will make the date bars for her next.

  34. I know what you mean about tackling recipes…I used to get so intimidated when I saw a unfamiliar ingredients or tricky techniques. I was afraid to mess up, which I’ve learned now is part of the fun of cooking! In fact some of the most stunningly wonderful things come out of the messiest mistakes. 🙂
    And ohgoodgolly you bet I will be trying these…date bars get me all weak-kneed and yours look crazyyumful! Many thanks! 🙂

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