When you proclaim anything to be the best, people will have questions. After all, you do need to back up such powerful claims. In this case though, all you really need to do is serve up the Best Date Bars. People will agree with you in no time! The center is jammy, sweet, and filled with crunchy walnuts. The crust is crunchy, buttery, and infused with brown sugar for that molasses-flavored goodness. The Best Date Bars are simply the best, no question about it!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
- 1/3 cup walnuts, optional, coarsely chopped
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Step 3 –In saucepan, combine the dates, the sugar, and 1 1/2 cups of the water.
Step 4 –Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until very thick.
Step 5 –Stir in the walnuts and allow the mixture to cool.
Step 6 –Sift the flour, the salt, and the baking soda together in a large bowl.
Step 7 –Add the oats and the brown sugar to the flour mixture.
Step 8 –Cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 9 –Sprinkle the remaining water over the flour mixture and stir lightly.
Step 10 –Pat 1/2 of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Step 11 –Spread the bottom crust with the date mixture.
Step 12 –Cover the date mixture with the remaining oat crust, patting it lightly.
Step 13 –Bake until lightly browned, about 35-40 minutes.
Step 14 –Allow the bars to cool on a wire rack.
Step 15 –Cut into bars and serve.