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Best Date Bars

Name: Best Date Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 40 bars.
Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up; 1/4 cup sugar; 1-1/2 cups water; 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional; 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 tablespoon water

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Bake: 35 min.

Makes

40 bars

Updated: Jul. 18, 2023

Date recipes are some of my favorite desserts to cook. These date bars are very easy to bake, and one sheet of them will yield 48 good-sized bars. I sometimes add nuts, coconut or candied fruit. —Dorothy DeLeske, Scottsdale, Arizona

Best Date Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water

Directions

In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts if desired; cool.
Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly.
Bake at 350° until lightly browned, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Date Bars Tips

What kind of dates should you use to make date bars?

Dates are very healthy, and there are two main kinds that are readily available, medjool or deglet noor dates. While it’s really a personal preference, we like medjool dates for these bars. Medjool dates are naturally sweeter than deglet noor dates. Learn more about dates and what makes them so unique!

How can you make date bars your own?

A simple and easy way to elevate these bars is to play around with some warm spices that would enhance these already delicious bars. Something as easy as adding a sprinkle of cardamom or cinnamon can really take these date bars to the next level.

How should you store date bars?

You can store these date bars in an airtight food storage container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze these bars for up to 2 months, and simply allow them to thaw at room temperature prior to serving. If you liked these date bars, check out more ways to bake with dates.

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 97 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 65mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.