Best 11 Best Date Bars Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of classic Date Bars, a delightful treat that combines chewy dates, a sweet and nutty oat mixture, and a luscious caramel-like topping. These delectable bars are a perfect balance of textures and flavors, sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.

This collection features three irresistible Date Bar recipes, each with its own unique twist. The Traditional Date Bars embody the classic recipe, featuring a simple yet delicious combination of dates, oats, and caramel. For a more decadent experience, try the Chocolate Chip Date Bars, which add a burst of chocolatey goodness to the mix. And if you're looking for a healthier option, the No-Bake Date Bars offer a guilt-free indulgence, made without any refined sugar or butter.

No matter which recipe you choose, these Date Bars are sure to be a hit. They're easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort. Plus, they're perfect for any occasion, from potlucks to bake sales to midnight snacks. So gather your ingredients and let's embark on a delightful baking journey!

Let's cook with our recipes!

OLD-FASHIONED DATE BARS



Old-Fashioned Date Bars image

This buttery oatmeal bar is filled with dates and brings back memories.

Provided by Land O'Lakes

Categories     Bar     Sweet     Baking     Dessert

Yield 16 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

Filling
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 (8-ounce) package chopped dates
Crust
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Land O Lakes® Butter softened

Steps:

  • Grease 8-inch square baking pan; set aside.
  • Combine water, 1/4 cup brown sugar and dates in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes or until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Cool at least 30 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Combine all crust ingredients in bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup.
  • Press remaining crumbs into prepared pan. Spoon filling over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 7 grams, SaturatedFat grams, Transfat grams, Cholesterol 17 milligrams, Sodium 60 milligrams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Sugar grams, Protein 2 grams

BEST DATE BARS



Best Date Bars image

Date recipes are some of my favorite desserts to cook up. These date treats 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

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 40 bars.

Number Of Ingredients 11

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 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

Steps:

  • 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° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts :

DATE OATMEAL BARS



Date Oatmeal Bars image

In no time at all, you can treat your family to these bars. They'll never suspect how light the snacks are. -Helen Cluts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 large egg white, room temperature

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Place dates, water and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly., In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir in melted butter and egg white. Press half of the mixture into an 8-in. square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Spread carefully with date mixture; top with remaining oat mixture. , Bake until lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 182 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 114mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

DATE NUT BARS



Date Nut Bars image

I've had this recipe since 1938, when the girls I worked with game me a bridal shower. One of their presents was a recipe box filled with their favorites. Inside, I found this recipe, and I've used it for just about every occasion since. They're always well received.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped dates
2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans
4 large eggs, lightly beaten, room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, dates and nuts. Add the eggs, butter and vanilla; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened (batter will be very stiff). , Spread in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool bars on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar. ,

Nutrition Facts : Calories 182 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 63mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

I used to be the cafeteria manager at a grade school and these bars were always a hit.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 3-4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

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

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick. Stir in nuts if desired. , Meanwhile, in a bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add water and mix lightly. Press half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread date mixture on top. Cover with remaining oat mixture; pat lightly. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 113 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 112mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

GRAMMA'S DATE SQUARES



Gramma's Date Squares image

A date filled bar with a chewy oatmeal crust. This is my grandmother's recipe, which my whole family loves.

Provided by Mai Forrester

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     International Cookie Recipes     Canadian Cookie Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 ½ cups sifted pastry flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup butter, softened
¾ pound pitted dates, diced
1 cup water
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 363.1 calories, Carbohydrate 63.7 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 217.4 mg, Sugar 41.8 g

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

Dessert ready in about an hour! Enjoy classic date filled bars in a new way - a wonderful treat.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups chopped pitted dates (1 lb)
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups all-purpose* or whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In 2-quart saucepan, cook filling ingredients over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes.
  • Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
  • In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until well mixed. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt until crumbly. Press half of the crumb mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Spread with filling. Top with remaining crumb mixture; press lightly.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan on cooling rack. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows while warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Bar, Sodium 85 mg, Sugar 17 g, TransFat 0 g

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Yield 12 bars

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 1/2 cups (1 pound) pitted and chopped dates
1 cup water
Scant 1 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 cups rolled oats
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped dates and water. Over medium low heat, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring back up to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Thoroughly butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with 2 inch sides and line the base of it with parchment paper.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix together well with a wooden spoon, then drizzle in the melted butter and stir to moisten evenly. Spread 1/2 of this crumb mixture in the base of the pan, then cover with an even layer of the cooled date mixture. Top the date layer with another layer of the crumb mixture and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly, and the edges have begun to caramelize. Cool on a rack, to room temperature. Run a knife around the inside edge of the pan to release, and cut into 12 squares.

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

This is a recipe my mother made in the 1950's. I have tried many other date bar recipes but none compare to this one.

Provided by out of here

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup oleo
8 ounces pitted dates, chopped
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Combine the flour, soda, salt, oats, oleo, and sugar into a crumb-like mixture; spread 1/2 of mixture in a greased 13x9 pan.
  • Combine the filling ingredients together, except the vanilla.
  • Cook this mixture until thick.
  • Cool. Now add the vanilla.
  • Spread on crumb crust, put the other 1/2 of the oat mixture on top of the date mixture.
  • Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418.4, Fat 16, SaturatedFat 3, Sodium 335.3, Carbohydrate 67.6, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 46.5, Protein 3.9

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

The underrated dried fruit takes center stage in these chewy, irresistible bars. Martha made this recipe on "Martha Bakes" episode 710.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 16

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups dried dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Butter parchment; set aside.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter. Pulse to combine. Add egg and pulse until evenly moistened. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; press into bottom (use the base of a dry measuring cup or a small offset spatula to help). Freeze for 10 minutes. Bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Make the filling: In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and cider. Cook over medium heat until soft and the consistency of jam. Using a hand blender, puree mixture until smooth. Stir in lemon zest. Spread mixture evenly over baked crust.
  • Make the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Using your hands, work in butter to form crumbs. Evenly distribute crumbs over filling to cover. Bake until topping is golden brown and filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a paring knife around edges of pan to loosen; let cool completely in pan on wire rack. Using parchment overhang, remove from pan; cut into squares using a serrated knife.

BEST EVER DATE BARS



Best Ever Date Bars image

Date bars are so good! This recipe is from an old cookbook of my mom's,(McCall's or Betty Crocker) and is a fond memory of my childhood. The index card I'm copying it from is one of the most stained in my collection. So trust me! You'll love these!

Provided by Recipe Junkie

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 45m

Yield 24 bars

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups pitted dates
1/2 cup sugar
1 grated orange, zest of
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Quaker Oats (I never worry about whether they're quick cooking or not! I just dump 'em in!)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • For filling, combine all filling ingredients except for nuts in medium sized saucepan.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally til thickened.
  • Cool.
  • Stir in nuts.
  • For base, sift together flour, soda and salt.
  • Add oats and sugar.
  • Mix well.
  • Stir in butter.
  • Mix til crumbly.
  • Press 2/3 of mixture into greased 8" square pan.
  • Spread filling evenly over flour mixture.
  • Top with remaining mixture.
  • Pack light.
  • Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
  • Cool completely!(Very important).
  • Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.5, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 106, Carbohydrate 30.7, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 22.7, Protein 1.5

Tips:

  • Use fresh, soft dates. Fresh, soft dates are easier to work with and will produce a softer, more moist date bar.
  • Pit the dates before using them. You can use a knife or a food processor to pit the dates.
  • Chop the dates finely. This will help them to distribute evenly throughout the date bars.
  • Use a combination of nuts and seeds. This will add texture and flavor to the date bars. Some popular choices include walnuts, pecans, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the pan. This will help to keep the date bars from crumbling.
  • Chill the date bars before cutting them. This will make them easier to cut and will also help them to hold their shape.

Conclusion:

Date bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a good source of fiber, potassium, and other nutrients. Date bars can be made with a variety of different ingredients, so you can easily customize them to your own taste. Whether you like them chewy, crunchy, or somewhere in between, there is a date bar recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a sweet snack, reach for a date bar instead of a candy bar. Your body and your taste buds will thank you!

Related Topics