One of the best date bars made with a candy date filling and topped with a scrumptious buttery oat crumble. They’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened and tremendous straightforward to make!
Ever since my first chew, I’ve been utterly hooked on these date bars!
They’ve bought 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 superbly with a heat drink, like my wholesome sizzling chocolate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally candy – The dates present all of the sweetness you want, no refined sugar overload right here.
- Straightforward to make – Easy steps, fundamental elements, and no fancy gear required.
- Healthful elements – With oats and dates as the celebrities, these bars really feel indulgent however are full of better-for-you goodness.
- Versatile – Excellent with espresso or tea, nice for on-the-go snacking, and wonderful as a lightweight dessert after dinner.
- Freezer-friendly – Make a batch, freeze some, and also you’ve bought a ready-made deal with ready each time the craving strikes!
Components Wanted
- dates – the star of our filling! Select comfortable, plump dates for the most effective 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 type the hearty, crumbly base and topping. The oats add chewiness, whereas the oat flour helps every thing maintain collectively. When 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 thing collectively.
- butter or coconut oil – your selection! Both one will give these bars richness and tenderness. Butter provides a extra basic pastry taste, whereas coconut oil retains them dairy-free. Simply you should definitely use room temperature coconut oil moderately 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 total ingredient listing with measurements within the recipe card under.
Substitutions
- Sugar: When you’re brief on coconut sugar, don’t fear — brown sugar nonetheless delivers that cozy, caramel-like sweetness. Feeling adventurous? Strive 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 for those who’d moderately hold issues easy, simply depart them out. These bars are completely scrumptious with or with out the additional crunch.
The right way to Make Date Bars
Step 1: Add dates and water to a saucepan, deliver 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 types and begins to clump collectively.
Step 5: Press about 2 cups of the crumble combination into the ready pan to type a agency crust. Unfold the date filling over the crust, then sprinkle the remaining crumble combination on high, 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 Ideas
- Decide comfortable 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 a substitute of a chewy one.
- Press the crust firmly: Don’t be shy! Use your palms 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 regulate the oven.
The right way to Retailer
As soon as cooled, hold your date bars in an hermetic container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. They’re excellent for grabbing in your means out the door!
If you need them to last more, pop them within the fridge for as much as every week. Craving a future snack? They freeze superbly too. Simply wrap them up, tuck them within the freezer, and thaw everytime you want a candy deal with on demand.
Regularly Requested Questions
In case your dates really feel dry or robust, 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 might be made gluten-free. All the time double-check your ingredient labels to make sure.
Search for a calmly golden high 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 Strive
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