Date Bars from My Childhood

Transport your taste buds back in time with these nostalgic Date Bars from My Childhood—an irresistible blend of rich, gooey date filling and buttery, crumbly oat layers. Featuring naturally sweet pitted dates cooked down to a luscious paste and sandwiched between a hearty crust of old-fashioned rolled oats, brown sugar, and a touch of baking soda for a tender texture, these bars are the perfect combination of wholesome and indulgent. Ready in just under an hour, they’re ideal for a cozy afternoon snack, a simple dessert, or a nostalgic treat to share with loved ones. Best of all, these golden-brown bars stay fresh for days, making them a great make-ahead option for lunchboxes, picnics, or tea-time delights.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1 cup water
• 0.25 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted dates, water, and granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates break down and form a thick, paste-like mixture, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

In the same bowl, add the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until the mixture resembles a coarse crumb. This will form both the crust and the topping.

Step 5

Press half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer.

Step 6

Spread the cooled date filling over the crust layer, using a spatula to smooth it out evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top of the date layer, pressing it gently to adhere.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 12 bars and serve.

Step 11

Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1417.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4310.5

Total Fat 108.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 248mg	0%
Sodium 1896.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 847.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.9g	0%
Total Sugars 566.7g
Protein 46.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 600.2mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 4305.9mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.4%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 74.6%