Indulge in the wholesome goodness of these Whole Wheat Date Bars, a naturally sweet and hearty treat that's perfect for any time of day. Packed with a luscious homemade date filling made from pitted dates and a hint of vanilla, these bars offer a delightful burst of caramel-like sweetness without processed sugars. The crumbly crust and topping are made from whole wheat flour, rolled oats, and a touch of brown sugar, combined with cold butter for that perfect texture. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are easy to prepare and ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish. Ideal as a nutritious breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or a guilt-free dessert, theyβre a delicious way to enjoy the natural charm of dates while embracing wholesome ingredients.
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a small saucepan, combine the pitted dates and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates soften and break down into a thick paste, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the date mixture from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until crumbly and evenly distributed.
Press half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create an even layer.
Spread the cooled date mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the date layer, pressing lightly to adhere.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and cut them into 16 squares.
Calories |
3189 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 104.8 g | 134% | |
| Saturated Fat | 62.1 g | 310% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 258 mg | 86% | |
| Sodium | 1276 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 572.4 g | 208% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 55.3 g | 198% | |
| Total Sugars | 390.7 g | ||
| Protein | 39.3 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 492 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 13.3 mg | 74% | |
| Potassium | 4305 mg | 92% | |
*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.