These Date Nut Bars are for all of you looking for something that isn’t overly sweet, and a bit on the fruity/nutty side.
Date Nut Bars consist of two yummy layers: a not-too-sweet date and walnut layer sandwiched between two light, buttery layers of oats and brown sugar. The date layer is made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to give it a nice warm flavor with just the right amount of spice, which goes really well with the sweet crumb layers.
I don’t know why, but I feel pretty healthy when I’m eating these, too. Must be the dates and nuts and no chocolate…
Date Nut Bars
Makes about 2 dozen bars
Ingredients:
- 3 cups dates, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped*
- 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1-3/4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 cups quick oats
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan over medium low heat, combine the dates, sugar, water, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
- Once thickened, remove from the heat, and stir in the walnuts. Let cool while you prepare the cookie base.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and lightly grease a 9×13 pan.
- In the bowl of your mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- On low, add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and oats, and mix until combined.
- Press half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the date nut filling over the oat layer, then top with the remaining oat mixture, pressing down slightly with your fingers.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool completely before enjoying!
*I used walnuts for the date layer, but feel free to substitute pecans.
Adapted from Food Network.
They look absolutely delicious . Thanx for sharing .
These are perfect for me. I love a dessert that’s not very sweet. I’m sure I would be making some of these soon!