Chocolate Date Squares
Indulge in the rich, wholesome flavors of Chocolate Date Squares, a decadent yet nutritious treat perfect for any time of day. This easy-to-make recipe blends the natural sweetness of pitted dates with the luxurious depth of cocoa powder and melty dark chocolate chips. A crumbly oat and flour mixture, lightly sweetened with brown sugar and butter, forms the hearty base and topping, while the velvety smooth date filling takes center stage. Simple to prepare in just under an hour, these bars offer a delightful balance of texture and taste—crispy, gooey, and chocolatey all at once. Perfect as a dessert, afternoon snack, or coffee pairing, these squares are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while packing in a dose of wholesome ingredients.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates
- 1 cup water
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup brown sugar
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 0.5 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan, combine the pitted dates and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer for 5-7 minutes until the dates are soft and most of the liquid evaporates.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam slightly—this softens the dates further. Let it cool, then mash the dates into a paste using a fork or immersion blender. Mix in the vanilla extract.
In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt.
Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined.
Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the base layer.
Spread the date paste evenly over the base layer.
Sprinkle the dark chocolate chips over the date layer for added sweetness and texture.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top, pressing it lightly to form the top layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly firm.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into squares.
Serve as a dessert, snack, or treat with coffee or tea.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4680 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 194.7 g | 250% | |
| Saturated Fat | 114.1 g | 570% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 388 mg | 129% | |
| Sodium | 1282 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 736.0 g | 268% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 64.3 g | 230% | |
| Total Sugars | 473.8 g | ||
| Protein | 59.9 g | 120% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 647 mg | 50% | |
| Iron | 27.7 mg | 154% | |
| Potassium | 5148 mg | 110% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
