Best 9 Date Bars From My Childhood Recipes

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Indulge in a nostalgic journey with our collection of delectable date bar recipes, reminiscent of childhood memories. These classic treats offer a delightful combination of chewy dates, sweet caramel, and a buttery oat crust. Explore variations that cater to different dietary preferences, including a vegan option sweetened with maple syrup. Discover the secrets to creating the perfect date bar, from selecting the right dates to achieving the ideal texture. Embark on a culinary adventure and recreate these timeless treats that have been passed down through generations.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

OLD-FASHIONED DATE BAR RECIPE



Old-Fashioned Date Bar Recipe image

An heirloom Date Bar recipe dating back nearly a century - and still just as delicious today! • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian •

Provided by Two Healthy Kitchens LLC at www.TwoHealthyKitchens.com

Categories     Desserts

Time 37m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (fine grain, not flaked kosher salt)
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened (but NOT melted)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 ounces whole, dried dates, chopped (to equal about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
to finish: about 1/4 cup powdered sugar (you will actually end up using only about 1 tablespoon)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare a 9 x 13" baking pan by spraying with cooking spray and/or lightly but thoroughly flouring the bottom (if needed - my pan doesn't need this).
  • In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
  • In a second medium bowl, combine sugar and butter until butter is completely incorporated into the sugar. The mixture will be crumbly, similar to wet sand. (I find it's easiest to do this with my hands, rubbing the butter into the sugar with my fingers, but you can also use an electric mixer.) Add eggs, water, and vanilla, and stir until thoroughly combined. Add the dates and walnuts and stir again to distribute evenly.
  • Lightly dump the dry ingredients (flour mixture) over top of the wet ingredients (sugar mixture) and stir just until thoroughly combined. The dough will be very thick and sticky.
  • Using a rubber scraper, spread the dough into the pan, pushing it and flattening it until it's an even thickness (dough will only thinly cover the entire pan).
  • Bake for about 20-22 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
  • Let cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack before cutting. Cut into 39 sticks that are 1 inch wide and 3 inches long.
  • Place at least 1/4 cup of powdered sugar in a wide bowl. Roll each bar in the sugar to coat, tapping gently to remove any excess, loose sugar. (You should actually use only about 1 tablespoon of the sugar to thinly coat the bars, but it makes it much easier to work with them if there is plenty of extra sugar in the bowl. You can discard the excess.)

Nutrition Facts : Calories 67 calories, Carbohydrate 13 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 10 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 2 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, SaturatedFat 0 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1 bar, Sodium 58 grams sodium, Sugar 9 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 1 grams unsaturated fat

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.

EASY DATE BARS



Easy Date Bars image

Yield 16 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (8 ounces) dates, chopped
1 cup water
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup butter, melted (I used Smart Balance)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with baking spray and set aside.
  • In a sauce pan, add dates, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until mixture thickens (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. Add melted butter, and stir until combined. (Note: The mixture will be dry).
  • Press half of the flour mixture into the prepared baking pan. Pour filling over the top. Then press the remaining flour mixture over the top of the filling
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or bars start to turn golden. Let cool completely.

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 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

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

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.

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

NOT YOUR USUAL DATE BARS



Not Your Usual Date Bars image

This is my adopted recipe as of Feb. 2005. This is pretty darned good if I do say so. I changed the recipe to use 1 1/2 cups dates as suggested by the reviewer. This is more like cake than date bars. I didn't bother with the icing.

Provided by Dorel

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 55m

Yield 1 10x15 jelly roll pan, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/2 cups dates, chopped
1/4 cup milk
4 ounces cream cheese
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour cream or 3/4 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • In saucepan cook dates, milk and cream cheese over medium-low heat until dates are soft and mixture is blended.
  • Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla and sour cream or yogurt and mix well.
  • Mix baking soda and salt with flour and add to mixture, mixing well.
  • Stir in by hand, slightly cooled date mixture and nuts.
  • Spread in greased 15x10 jellyroll pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.
  • ICING:.
  • Brown the butter on low heat, be careful not to burn.
  • Stir into remaining ingredients, beat until smooth.
  • Add small amount of milk if icing is too thick; spread over warm bars.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of dates. Different types of dates will give your bars different flavors and textures. For a classic date bar, use Medjool dates. For a chewier bar, use Deglet Noor dates. And for a sweeter bar, use Iranian dates.
  • Don't overcook the dates. Overcooked dates will be tough and chewy. Cook them just until they are softened and sticky.
  • Press the bars firmly into the pan. This will help them hold together better.
  • Chill the bars before cutting them. This will make them easier to cut and will also help them set.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 2 weeks.

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 antioxidants. Plus, they are a great way to use up leftover dates. So next time you have a craving for something sweet, reach for a date bar instead of a candy bar. Your body will thank you!

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