Date Bars

5 from 2 votes

Both hearty and healthy, these Canadian date bars with oatmeal crumble topping are certainly delicious. They're packed with tasty ingredients like dates, oats, coconut, and cinnamon. Enjoy homemade date bars for breakfast, a snack or as part of brunch.

Prep Time20

Cook Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Bars, Sweets

Cuisine: Canadian

Keyword: Bars

Servings: bars

Author: Bella Bucchiotti

Equipment

Ingredients

1 Cup water
1 ¼ Cups dates chopped
½ Cup granulated sugar
1 ¾ Cups old fashioned oats
1 ½ Cups all purpose flour
1 Cup shredded coconut unsweetened
1 Cup brown sugar packed
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon salt
¾ Cup unsalted butter cold, cubed

Instructions

In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sauce will be slightly thickened. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
With a food processor, combine the oats, flour, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a pastry cutter to mix if you don't have a food processor.
Press 3 cups of the crumb mixture evenly into baking dish. Spread date mixture evenly on top. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture evenly into dates. Press down into dates slightly.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until edges are lightly brown. Cool before cutting into squares.

Notes

Cool before slicing: Let the bars fully cool so they hold their shape.
Use fresh dates: They’re easier to chop and make a better filling.
Pulse the butter gently: You want a crumbly texture, not a paste.
Press lightly: Don’t over-pack the topping, or it can bake up too firm.

Nutrition

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