Decadent Date Bars Recipes

DARK CHOCOLATE-WALNUT DATE BAR

Steps:

• Brush a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with oil and line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides.
• In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 cups walnuts, dates, peanut butter, vanilla, and kosher salt until finely chopped and mixture holds together. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly knead to pack together; pat into an 8-inch square. Refrigerate until firm, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt chocolate with oil. Halve nut mixture and press one part into loaf pan. Drizzle with half of chocolate. Refrigerate until chocolate just begins to set, 10 minutes.
• Press in remaining nut mixture and spread with remaining chocolate. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and flaky salt. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. To serve, let stand at room temperature 10 minutes, then remove from pan using parchment before slicing.

DECADENT DATE BARS

Steps:

• Date Filling: Mix 3 cups chopped dates (1 lb.) with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until thickened; Cool.
• Grease 13x9 baking pan.
• Crust Mixture: Cream butter, shortening, and brown sugar.
• Mix in remaining ingredients.
• Press half the mixture in bottom of pan.
• Spread with filling.
• Top with remaining crumble mixture, pressing lightly.
• Bake at 400°F 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown.
• While warm, cut into bars about 2 inches X 1 1/2 inches.
• VARIATION: You can omit date filling and substitute 1 cup of your favorite jam.

BEST EVER DATE BARS

Steps:

• For filling, combine all filling ingredients except for nuts in medium sized saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally til thickened.
• Cool.
• Stir in nuts.
• For base, sift together flour, soda and salt.
• Add oats and sugar.
• Mix well.
• Stir in butter.
• Mix til crumbly.
• Press 2/3 of mixture into greased 8" square pan.
• Spread filling evenly over flour mixture.
• Top with remaining mixture.
• Pack light.
• Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
• Cool completely!(Very important).
• Cut into bars.

DATE BARS

Steps:

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

DATE BARS FROM MY CHILDHOOD

Steps:

• Make the filling: Boil dates, sugar, and water until thick, about 5-10 minutes.
• Add 1 TBSP butter, the vanilla, and the walnuts.
• Set aside to cool a bit.
• Prepare the crust: Combine all dry ingredients with the melted butter.
• Press half of the mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 pan.
• Cover with filling mixture and top with remaining half of crust mixture.
• Press lightly.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
• NO LONGER THAN THAT!
• Cut into squares when cool.

BEST DATE BARS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar and water. Cook, stirring frequently, until very thick. Stir in walnuts, if desired; cool. , Sift the flour, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl; add oats and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle water over mixture; stir lightly. Pat half into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Spread with date mixture; cover with remaining oat mixture and pat lightly. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

OLD-FASHIONED DATE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Mix together flour, baking powder, and baking soda; and gradually add to the creamed mixture.
• Fold in the dates and nuts.
• Spread the batter evenly in a greased 13x9 baking pan and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes or until golden.
• Cool in pan.
• Cut into approximately 24 bars.