Date Bars
User Reviews
5
Date Bars
Description
Date Bars consist of a richly textured filling made by boiling chopped Medjool dates until thick, then mixing them with lemon juice and finely chopped pecans for a balance of sweetness and nutty flavor. This filling is sandwiched between layers of a crumb mixture made from all-purpose flour, rolled oats, dark brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon, combined with melted butter to create moist, pea-sized clumps. Half of this mixture is pressed firmly into a lined baking dish, topped with the date filling, then covered with the remaining crumb mixture before baking.
Once baked until golden brown on top and edges, the bars provide a satisfying blend of chewy texture from the dates and oats with a tender, crumbly crust. The lemon juice adds brightness to the sweet date filling while pecans introduce crunch.
These bars can be stored in an airtight container, remaining fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator or frozen for up to three months, making them a convenient make-ahead snack or dessert option.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1½ cups Medjool dates chopped, pitted
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup pecans finely chopped
Base
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter melted, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 × 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of extra parchment over both sides.
- In a small saucepan, bring 11/4 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Add the dates and boil, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the dates have melted and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat; stir in the lemon juice and pecans. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Pour the melted butter on top. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour mixture until you have a pebbly texture with moist pea-size clumps.
- Press half of the flour mixture evenly and firmly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the date mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the date mixture; press gently to help the crumbs adhere.
- Bake until the top and edges are golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and cool completely. Cut into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- Store date bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Freeze bars for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 210kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 111mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 155mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 208IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.4mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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