Easy & Fast Date Bars

Experience the irresistible delight of date squares, a mouthwatering treat consisting of layers of crunchy oatmeal crust enveloping a luscious filling of vanilla-infused, jammy dates. Our recipe takes a unique approach, combining the filling and dough into a single chewy bar for an exceptional taste experience.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 3 cups (447g) chopped dates
• 1 cup (227g) water
• A heaping 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons (28g) lemon juice*
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

*The juice of half a large lemon works well in this recipe.

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups (147g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) All-purpose Flour
• 1 cup (213g) packed light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons (168g) melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (56g) chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9” square pan or line it with parchment paper.

To make the filling:

• In a small saucepan, combine the chopped dates, water, salt, and lemon juice.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the water is absorbed and the mixture thickens slightly.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and set it aside to cool while you prepare the crust.

To make the crust:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Stir in the melted butter until well combined.

To assemble:

• Press 2 1/2 cups (about 450g) of the crust mixture into the prepared pan, ensuring the bottom is completely covered without any gaps.
• Spread the date filling evenly over the crust.
• Add the chopped nuts to the remaining crust mixture and sprinkle it over the filling.
• Bake the squares for 30 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.
• Remove the pan from the oven and allow the squares to cool before cutting.