Healthier Oatmeal Date Bars
These wholesome, chewy bars are made from oats and whole wheat flour with a thick layer of sweet medjool dates in the middle. Makes 12 large or 24 bite-size bars.
Servings 12 bars
Equipment
- About 64-70 square inches, which could be an 8x8 or 10x7. My pan was 10x7.
Ingredients
For the date filling
- 1 1/4 cups medjool dates which is about 8 ounces or about 16 large dates
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 cup water
For the crust and topping
- 3/4 cup salted butter melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350*.
- Combine dates, sugar, and water in a sauce pan and cook over medium high heat until dates are super soft. Mash with a wooden spoon until you have a paste.
- While the dates heat up, melt butter in a large glass bowl. Add brown sugar, flour, and baking soda and stir to mix. Stir in oats and mix thoroughly.
- Press 2/3 of the crust into the bottom of the pan, using a spatula to press firmly.
- Spread the date filling across the crust.
- Top with remaining crumble and slightly press down.
- Cook for 25-30 minutes, until top is brown.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting into small squares.