Old-Fashioned Date Bars

Just like grandma made! These old-fashioned date bars or date squares are so simple to make. Juicy Medjool dates create a sticky, caramel-like paste to spread between buttery crumb layers.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Date Bars, Date Squares

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Servings bars

Calories 277kcal

Author Cara Harbstreet

Ingredients

3 cups Medjool dates pitted and roughly chopped
1 ½ cups water
½ cup shortening
¼ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar packed
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

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 9”x13” baking dish or pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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.
Meanwhile, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats in a mixing bowl. Blend the butter, shortening, and brown sugar in a separate bowl.
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.
Spread the date mixture on top, then top with the chocolate chips. Follow with the remaining crumb mixture.
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.

Notes

If adding extra baking spices, stir into the date filling after it has thickened into a paste (at the end of cooking).

Slice the old-fashioned date bars while still warm for clean lines.

Nutrition