Date Cranberry Orange Bars
These Date Cranberry Orange Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and chewy, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. Featuring a buttery oat crust that doubles as a crumbly topping, these bars are filled with a luscious mixture of dates, dried cranberries, and fresh orange juice and zest, bringing a burst of citrusy brightness to every bite. The quick 20-minute prep time and simple ingredients make this recipe a must-try for home bakers of all levels. Ideal for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a festive dessert, these fruity bars are easy to slice and store, making them as convenient as they are delicious. Serve them at a holiday gathering or enjoy them with a warm cup of tea for a cozy treat.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 0.75 cup Brown sugar
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Dates, pitted and chopped
- 0.75 cup Dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup Orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly and resembles coarse sand.
Press two-thirds of the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Reserve the remaining one-third for the topping. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped dates, dried cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, and granulated sugar. Stir frequently and cook for about 8–10 minutes, until the mixture thickens and the fruits have softened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Spread the fruit mixture evenly over the baked crust layer.
Crumble the reserved crust mixture over the fruit layer, pressing down gently to adhere.
Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 12 bars.
Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2613 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 56.2 g | 72% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.2 g | 146% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 124 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 669 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 518.0 g | 188% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.2 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 345.9 g | ||
| Protein | 26.9 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 290 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 11.4 mg | 63% | |
| Potassium | 2021 mg | 43% | |
*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.
