Date Bars

By Bellacucinam

Ingredients

• Date Filling:
• 3 cups (400 grams) pitted dates
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Oatmeal Crust:
• 2 cups (200 grams) old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup (130 grams) all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (226 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Details

Servings 20
Adapted from joyofbaking.com

Preparation

Step 1

Date Filling: Place the dates and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water (about 5 - 10 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature and then puree in your food processor until smooth. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter (or use a non stick cooking spray) an 8 x 11 inch (20 x 28 cm) or a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Oatmeal Crust: In the bowl of your food processor, place the oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Pulse to combine. Then add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the base of the prepared pan.

Spread the dates evenly over the oatmeal crust. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly over the top of the dates. Bake for about 30 - 40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a wire rack to cool. Once the squares have cooled, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator at least one hour or until firm enough to cut easily into squares.

These will keep, covered, in the refrigerator up to a week.