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Date Bars

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  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 5 min
  • Servings 36
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Hello, date lovers! Here’s an earthy-sweet treat that’s ready in about an hour—plus, it will give you a week of wonderful desserts and afternoon snacks that the whole family will love. The filling for these classic date bars is made with just 3 ingredients and 1/4 cup of sugar, making the most of the date’s intense natural sweetness. Sandwiched between a brown sugar and oat crumble, these taste so wonderful. Enjoy your date bars with a cup of coffee and a little me-time in the afternoon or a big scoop of ice cream after dinner. Or better yet, both!
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Sep 16, 2023
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Ingredients

Date Filling

  • 3 cups chopped pitted dates (1 lb)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Bars

  • 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

  • 1
    In 2-quart saucepan, cook filling ingredients over low heat about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool 5 minutes.
  • 2
    Heat oven to 400°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
  • 3
    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.
  • 4
    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.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    If you can’t find dates, you can substitute 3 cups of chopped pitted dried figs for the dates.
  • tip 2
    For best results and easy prep, use prepackaged chopped dates for the filling. Remember, pitted dates may contain an occasional pit so be sure to check for pits before cooking the filling.
  • tip 3
    To soften butter for this recipe, cut the butter in small pieces and leave at room temperature. A faster method is to microwave butter in 5 second intervals turning the butter frequently, so butter is softened but not melted.
  • tip 4
    We like to use Medjool dates for this date bar recipe, because they’re just a little sweeter—but really, any variety of dates will do.

Nutrition

160 Calories, 5g Total Fat, 2g Protein, 25g Total Carbohydrate, 17g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Bar
Calories
160
Calories from Fat
50
Total Fat
5g
8%
Saturated Fat
2 1/2g
13%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
15mg
5%
Sodium
85mg
4%
Potassium
140mg
4%
Total Carbohydrate
25g
8%
Dietary Fiber
2g
7%
Sugars
17g
Protein
2g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
4%
4%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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