Whole Wheat Date Bars

Indulge in the wholesome goodness of these Whole Wheat Date Bars, a naturally sweet and hearty treat that's perfect for any time of day. Packed with a luscious homemade date filling made from pitted dates and a hint of vanilla, these bars offer a delightful burst of caramel-like sweetness without processed sugars. The crumbly crust and topping are made from whole wheat flour, rolled oats, and a touch of brown sugar, combined with cold butter for that perfect texture. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are easy to prepare and ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish. Ideal as a nutritious breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or a guilt-free dessert, they’re a delicious way to enjoy the natural charm of dates while embracing wholesome ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pitted dates
• 1 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Rolled oats
• 0.5 cup Brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, combine the pitted dates and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates soften and break down into a thick paste, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the date mixture from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5

Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until crumbly and evenly distributed.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Spread the cooled date mixture evenly over the bottom crust.

Step 8

Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the date layer, pressing lightly to adhere.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 10

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and cut them into 16 squares.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1119.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3189.2

Total Fat 104.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 258.3mg	0%
Sodium 1276.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 572.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.3g	0%
Total Sugars 390.7g
Protein 39.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 492.1mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 4304.7mg	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: 27.8%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 67.5%