Craving a dessert that'll make your taste buds dance and your kitchen smell like heaven? Get ready to discover the ultimate comfort treat that combines the wholesome goodness of oats with the rich, sweet decadence of dates! These Date Filled Oatmeal Bars are about to become your new obsession - a perfect blend of chewy, crumbly, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are about to become your secret weapon in the kitchen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until well mixed.
- In a separate bowl, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter. Allow it to cool slightly before adding it to the dry ingredients. Mix until the mixture is crumbly and resembles wet sand.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup of the oat mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even crust.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of chopped dates and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and have absorbed most of the water.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and mash the date mixture with a fork or potato masher until it forms a thick paste. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Spread the date filling evenly over the pressed oat crust in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the date filling, distributing it evenly to cover the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, cut into 12 bars and serve. Enjoy your homemade date-filled oatmeal bars!
Tips
- To ensure your Date Filled Oatmeal Bars turn out perfectly every time, keep these pro tips in mind:
- Use fresh, soft dates for the best filling consistency. Medjool dates work particularly well.
- Make sure to press the bottom crust firmly into the pan to create a solid base.
- When mashing the dates, aim for a smooth paste-like consistency for even distribution.
- Don't skip the parchment paper - it makes removing and cutting the bars a breeze.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting to help them set and make cleaner slices.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to the oat mixture or a drizzle of honey on top.
- These bars freeze well - wrap individually for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
