The most effective date bars made with a candy date filling and topped with a scrumptious buttery oat crumble. They’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened and tremendous simple to make!
Ever since my first chew, I’ve been utterly hooked on these date bars!
They’ve obtained that completely jammy date filling nestled between two layers of buttery oat goodness. Plus, they’re a breeze to whip up with only a handful of pantry staples. They pair fantastically with a heat drink, like my wholesome scorching chocolate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally candy – The dates present all of the sweetness you want, no refined sugar overload right here.
- Simple to make – Easy steps, fundamental components, and no fancy tools required.
- Healthful components – With oats and dates as the celebrities, these bars really feel indulgent however are filled with better-for-you goodness.
- Versatile – Excellent with espresso or tea, nice for on-the-go snacking, and beautiful as a lightweight dessert after dinner.
- Freezer-friendly – Make a batch, freeze some, and also you’ve obtained a ready-made deal with ready at any time when the craving strikes!
Elements Wanted
- dates – the star of our filling! Select mushy, plump dates for the very best jammy texture. I like utilizing Medjool dates, however any selection will do so long as they’re good and sticky.
- old school rolled oats + oat flour – these kind the hearty, crumbly base and topping. The oats add chewiness, whereas the oat flour helps every little thing maintain collectively. In case you solely have rolled oats, you’ll be able to blitz them in a blender to make your personal oat flour.
- coconut sugar – a calmly caramel-flavored sweetener that pairs completely with the dates and oats.
- vanilla extract – only a splash for a heat, cozy taste that ties every little thing collectively.
- butter or coconut oil – your selection! Both one will give these bars richness and tenderness. Butter offers a extra traditional pastry taste, whereas coconut oil retains them dairy-free. Simply you should definitely use room temperature coconut oil relatively than melted, so it blends into the dough completely.
- lemon juice – a tiny little bit of brightness within the date filling that makes all of the distinction.
Discover the complete ingredient checklist with measurements within the recipe card under.
Substitutions
- Sugar: In case you’re quick on coconut sugar, don’t fear — brown sugar nonetheless delivers that cozy, caramel-like sweetness. Feeling adventurous? Attempt maple sugar or a granulated monk fruit sweetener for a singular twist on taste and texture.
- Nuts: Chopped walnuts or almonds add nice texture and taste, however in the event you’d relatively preserve issues easy, simply go away them out. These bars are completely scrumptious with or with out the additional crunch.
How one can Make Date Bars
Step 1: Add dates and water to a saucepan, carry to a mild boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes till thick and jammy. Stir in vanilla and lemon juice, then put aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix oat flour, rolled oats, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Add vanilla extract and softened butter (or coconut oil) to the dry combination.
Step 4: Use a fork or your fingers to combine till a crumbly dough kinds and begins to clump collectively.
Step 5: Press about 2 cups of the crumble combination into the ready pan to kind a agency crust. Unfold the date filling over the crust, then sprinkle the remaining crumble combination on prime, gently urgent it down.
Step 6: Bake for 35–40 minutes till the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden. Let the bars cool utterly earlier than slicing into 16 bars and having fun with!
Brittany’s Suggestions
- Choose mushy dates: In case your dates appear a bit dry, soak them in heat water for a couple of minutes earlier than cooking. This step actually helps give a candy, jammy filling as an alternative of a chewy one.
- Press the crust firmly: Don’t be shy! Use your arms or the again of a measuring cup to actually press down the underside layer so it holds collectively as soon as baked.
- Watch the baking time: Pull the bars out as quickly because the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep watch over the oven.
How one can Retailer
As soon as cooled, preserve your date bars in an hermetic container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. They’re good for grabbing in your approach out the door!
If you’d like them to last more, pop them within the fridge for as much as every week. Craving a future snack? They freeze fantastically too. Simply wrap them up, tuck them within the freezer, and thaw everytime you want a candy deal with on demand.
Continuously Requested Questions
In case your dates really feel dry or powerful, a fast soak in heat water for a couple of minutes will assist them soften up and offer you that jammy, scrumptious filling.
So long as you’re utilizing licensed gluten-free oats and oat flour, these bars may be made gluten-free. At all times double-check your ingredient labels to make sure.
Search for a calmly golden prime and bubbly filling across the edges. When you see these indicators, pull them out and allow them to cool utterly earlier than slicing for clear, bakery-worthy squares.
Extra Desserts to Attempt
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