Date Bars

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 35 min.
Yield 40 bars
Test Kitchen Approved
These date bars combine naturally sweet dates with a buttery oat crumble for a satisfying treat that’s both chewy and crisp.

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions

  1. In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts if desired; cool.
  2. Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly.
  3. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 97 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

These wholesome bar cookies freeze well. Simply cool them in the pan, cut into squares and store them in airtight freezer containers. —Dorothy DeLeske, Scottsdale, Arizona
Recipe Creator

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