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Old-Fashioned Medjool Date Bars

PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: 30 minutes
YIELD: 18 bars

Old-fashioned date bars are classic dessert bars featuring a chewy, sweet date filling on top of a buttery, crumbly oat crust and topping. They have a rich, caramel-like flavor from the dates and a slightly nutty texture from the oats, making them a nostalgic and comforting treat.

Recipe by @streetsmart.rd

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats or quick-cooking oats
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 9”x13” baking dish or pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Add the chopped dates and water to a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened into a paste, about 5-10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool.
  3. Meanwhile, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats in a mixing bowl. Blend the butter, shortening, and brown sugar in a separate bowl.
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until a crumbly texture forms. Spread approximately half of the mixture in the pan, pressing into an even layer.
  5. Spread the date mixture on top, then top with the chocolate chips. Follow with the remaining crumb mixture.
  6. Bake on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Slice and serve warm.

*While Medjool dates are high in natural sugars, they are low on the glycemic index thanks to a balanced amount of soluble fiber. The complex carbohydrates found in Medjool dates are digested at a slower rate, making them a source of dietary fiber and releasing energy to the body over a longer period of time.