Soft, chewy, and made with simple pantry ingredients! A timeless dessert everyone loves!
Simple Ingredients, Timeless Flavor!
A few years ago we held a garage sale at our church as a fundraiser for our Beds for Kids program. Our church gym was packed with everything you could possibly imagine! In addition to the garage sale we had a bake sale. My Grandma made a lot of pies, bread, and these Date Bars for the sale! People flocked to her baked goods.
One lady was so excited about these that she stood in nostalgic awe as she enjoyed every bite! It reminded her of her Grandma’s recipe, which she didn’t have. My Grandma gave her this recipe and it was like she had struck gold!
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, then make sure you try my Grandma’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Homemade Oatmeal Bread, and Easy Homemade Cherry Pie!
What You’ll Love About this Recipe:
- Feel Homemade – Rustic, not fussy, and full of warmth.
- Not Overly Sweet – Comforting sweetness from dates, balanced by a buttery oat crumb.
- A Recipe People Ask For – Because dates are familiar… but not everyone has this version!
- Simple, Old-Fashioned Ingredients – Nothing fancy or trendy, just pantry staples that work.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Crumb Coating:
- 1 1/2 cups Quick Oats
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Vanilla
And the Date Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups Dates, Pitted
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 3/4 cup Water
- 3/4 – 1 cup Walnuts, Optional
How to Make Old-Fashioned Date Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9 x 9 pan with non-stick spray.
- Combine 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp cold butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 tsp vanilla. Cover pan with half of the mixture and pat down firmly. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, make the filling by combining 1 1/2 cups pitted dates, 1/2 cup honey, and 3/4 cup water by stirring until thick and creamy. Stir in 3/4 – 1 cup walnuts if desired. Pour over crust and distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the filling and pat down.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
You Might Also Like:
- Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars
- Blueberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
- S’mores Bars
- Sheet Pan Brownies with Frosting
- Cake Mix Caramel Brownies
- Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
- Raspberry Streusel Shortbread Bars
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Triple Layer Cracker Toffee Bars
- Butterscotch Nut Bars
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Are Date Bars Healthy?
Date Bars contain natural sweetness from dates, but they are still a dessert. Think of them as a wholesome treat rather than a health food.
Can You Freeze Date Bars?
Yes! Date Bars freeze well in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Can I Make Date Bars Ahead of Time?
Yes. These are a great make-ahead dessert. In fact, they often taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle.
Why is My Date Filling Too Thick or Dry?
If the filling is too thick, it may need more water while cooking. Dates absorb liquid quickly, so adding water a little at a time helps keep the filling spreadable.
Recipe Notes:
- Butter – The original recipe calls for shortening, which is Crisco. The difference? Butter gives you a soft crust and Crisco gives you a crispier crust.
- Freeze – To freeze, let the bars cool completely, cut into bars, and place in a freezer safe bag.
More Dessert Bars:
- Puppy Chow Bars
- Fudgy Cake Mix Brownies
- Caramel Rice Krispie Treats with Marshmallows
- Easy Carmelitas with Cookie Dough
- The Best Scotcheroos
- Gooey Butterscotch Nut Bars
- Pecan Pie Bars
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Golden Graham S’mores Bars
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars
- Rhubarb Dream Bars
- Cherry Pie Bars
- Zucchini Brownies
- Strawberry Rhubarb Streusel Cheesecake Bars
Date Bars
Date Bars, an old-fashioned homemade Date Bar recipe with a chewy center and a lightly sweetened crumb topping!
Ingredients
Crumb Coating
- 1 1/2 cups Quick Oats
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Date Filling
- 1 1/2 cups Pitted Dates
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 3/4 cup Water
- 3/4 - 1 cup Walnuts, Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9 x 9 pan with non-stick spray.
- Combine crumb coating ingredients: quick oats, cold butter, brown sugar, flour, and vanilla. Cover pan with half of the mixture and pat down firmly. Set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, make the filling by combining the pitted dates, honey, and water by stirring until thick and creamy. Stir in walnuts if desired. Pour over crust and distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the filling and pat down.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Leave a Reply