Not Your Usual Date Bars
Break away from the ordinary with "Not Your Usual Date Bars," a decadent twist on a timeless treat. These energy-packed bars feature a luscious filling of tender, spiced Medjool dates simmered with bright bursts of orange zest and juice, creating a jam-like layer that’s undeniably irresistible. Encased in a buttery, crumbly crust and topped with crunchy sliced almonds, these bars achieve the perfect harmony of texture and flavor. With warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re ideal as a sophisticated afternoon snack, a quick breakfast bite, or even a grab-and-go dessert. Ready in just over an hour, these easy date bars are your new go-to recipe for crowd-pleasing, wholesome indulgence.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g pitted Medjool dates
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 120 ml orange juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- 200 g unsalted butter
- 150 g light brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 150 g rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 50 g sliced almonds
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a small pot over medium heat, combine the pitted dates, orange juice, orange zest, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes or until the dates break down into a thick, jam-like consistency. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until a crumbly dough forms. Reserve about 1/2 cup of this crumbly mixture for the topping.
Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
Spread the cooled date filling evenly over the crust layer.
To the reserved 1/2 cup of dough, mix in the sliced almonds and sprinkle this crumbly topping over the date filling, ensuring an even distribution.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before using the parchment overhang to lift them out. Slice them into 12 equal squares or bars.
Serve and enjoy! These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4822 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 210.5 g | 270% | |
| Saturated Fat | 103.9 g | 520% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 443 mg | 148% | |
| Sodium | 1116 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 732.4 g | 266% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 58.2 g | 208% | |
| Total Sugars | 430.1 g | ||
| Protein | 62.2 g | 124% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 695 mg | 53% | |
| Iron | 22.5 mg | 125% | |
| Potassium | 4540 mg | 97% | |
*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.
