Chewy Streusel Date Bars

Hello everyone! How has life been since we last spoke? I am terribly sorry about the week I missed. Camp has just finished and 4 weeks of non-stop sports really has caught up with me. I have been catching up on my sleep.

These are a great snack to throw in your gym or work bag. The bars are great for traveling and do not fall apart easily. These guys are great companions for road trips or flying.

I added about 1/4 cup sugar in the crust in addition to the amount of sugar called for in the recipe. Adding chopped walnuts to the dates would give the bars some great texture and flavor. The bars are simply amazing with wonderful chewiness and yummy filling. Do not be intimidated by the ingredients list. Most of the ingredients are reoccurring.



Chewy Date Bars
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Inactive: 20+ minutes
Appliance: Oven

Yield: 1 8 x 12 pan, 12 2 inch square bars



Ingredients:

Date Filling:
1 1/2 cup pitted dates, finely chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoons ground allspice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon or orange juice
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water

Crust and Topping:
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup unsalted butter slightly softened
2 tablespoons water


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C. Grease a 8 x 12 inch pan. 

In a small saucepan combine the first seven ingredients. Stirring constantly, cook over medium-high heat, until dates are soft and the mixture becomes a thick paste. This should take about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

While allowing the date mixture to cool, in a large mixing bowl, make the crust and topping. Stir together the oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter, wide-tooth fork or fingers. Mixture should be coarse and crumbly. Stir in 2 tablespoons water until evenly distributed. Press about 3/5 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the date mixture evenly over the crust near the edges*. Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the date layer. Press down lightly.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven. The top should be lightly toasted. Cool completely before cutting into bars.



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* I only used half of my date mix. I froze the remaining mixture for another day.

If you do not like the flavor of all-spice or cloves, you can substitute with additional cinnamon.

Allow the bars to cool completely before attempting to cut. Warm bars tend to fall apart. They are, however, quite lovely warmed with morning coffee.

The bars will last in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. They freeze beautifully and will last for many months. I never had any to freeze after the 3 month mark though!

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If you have any questions comment down below and I will make sure to get back to you as soon as possible! And if you want me to make anything specifically, comment below as well and I will try to make it happen.


I hope you enjoy!

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Peace out, stay safe. Love ya.



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