Indulge in the wholesome sweetness of Maple Date Bars, a delightful treat that strikes the perfect balance between chewy, nutty oats and a luscious, naturally sweet date filling. Made with pantry-friendly ingredients like rolled oats, maple syrup, and pitted dates, these bars offer a rich flavor profile with a hint of caramel from the brown sugar and a subtle warmth from vanilla extract. The buttery, crumbly topping pairs beautifully with the silky, maple-infused date center, creating a layered dessert thatβs as visually appealing as it is delicious. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a quick bake in the oven, these bars are a fuss-free yet impressive option for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Perfect for sharing or meal prepping, the recipe yields 16 satisfying squares that are sure to become a household favorite.
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the pitted dates and water. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates break down into a thick paste. Remove from heat and let slightly cool.
In a small bowl, stir the date paste with maple syrup and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
Press half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
Spread the date and maple mixture evenly over the base layer using a spatula.
Crumble the remaining dough over the date filling, gently pressing it down to create the top layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares.
Calories |
4457 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 109.9 g | 141% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.0 g | 315% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 258 mg | 86% | |
| Sodium | 1285 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 862.5 g | 314% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 54.2 g | 194% | |
| Total Sugars | 576.2 g | ||
| Protein | 55.7 g | 111% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 535 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 21.0 mg | 117% | |
| Potassium | 4396 mg | 94% | |
*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.