Date Loaf Bars

Discover the perfect blend of natural sweetness and comforting texture with these indulgent Date Loaf Bars! Featuring tender pitted dates simmered into a luscious paste, this recipe creates moist, chewy bars with hints of caramel from light brown sugar and richness from unsalted butter. A touch of vanilla and optional chopped walnuts add depth and crunch, while the straightforward prep makes these bars a breeze to whip up. Perfect as a wholesome snack, dessert, or even a midday pick-me-up, each bite balances heartwarming flavors with delightful simplicity. Ready in under an hour, these homemade treats are a crowd-pleaser for every occasion!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 300 grams Pitted dates
• 240 ml Water
• 115 grams Unsalted butter
• 100 grams Light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 Large egg
• 190 grams All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 60 grams Chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter.

Step 2

Place the pitted dates and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and most of the water is absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from heat, and use a fork or a potato masher to mash the dates into a smooth paste. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon.

Step 5

Add the vanilla extract and egg, and mix until well combined.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

Step 7

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 8

Fold the prepared date mixture into the batter, ensuring it is evenly distributed. If using chopped walnuts, fold them in at this stage as well.

Step 9

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 11

Let the date loaf cool completely in the pan before transferring it to a cutting board. Slice into bars or squares, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1074.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3231.5

Total Fat 145.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 440.6mg	0%
Sodium 2565.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 479.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.3g	0%
Total Sugars 303.3g
Protein 42.1g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 388.8mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 2778.3mg	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: 38.6%

Protein: 5.0%

Carbs: 56.4%