Best 6 Date Bar Dessert Recipes

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Date bars are a delightful dessert that combines a sweet and chewy date filling with a crispy and buttery crust. They are a popular treat for potlucks, bake sales, and holiday gatherings. With a variety of recipes and variations available, finding the perfect date bar dessert can be a challenge. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you create the most delicious and unforgettable date bars. We will explore different crust options, fillings, toppings, and baking techniques to ensure that your date bars are a hit with everyone who tries them. Let's get started on your journey to baking the perfect date bar dessert!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

The underrated dried fruit takes center stage in these chewy, irresistible bars. Martha made this recipe on "Martha Bakes" episode 710.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 16

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted cold butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 cups dried dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Butter parchment; set aside.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter. Pulse to combine. Add egg and pulse until evenly moistened. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; press into bottom (use the base of a dry measuring cup or a small offset spatula to help). Freeze for 10 minutes. Bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Make the filling: In a saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and cider. Cook over medium heat until soft and the consistency of jam. Using a hand blender, puree mixture until smooth. Stir in lemon zest. Spread mixture evenly over baked crust.
  • Make the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Using your hands, work in butter to form crumbs. Evenly distribute crumbs over filling to cover. Bake until topping is golden brown and filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a paring knife around edges of pan to loosen; let cool completely in pan on wire rack. Using parchment overhang, remove from pan; cut into squares using a serrated knife.

BEST DATE BARS



Best Date Bars image

Date recipes are some of my favorite desserts to cook up. These date treats are very easy to bake, and one sheet of them will yield 48 good-sized bars. I sometimes add nuts, coconut or candied fruit. -Dorothy DeLeske, Scottsdale, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 40 bars.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2-1/2 cups pitted dates, cut up
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, optional
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water

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.

Nutrition Facts :

DATE BAR DESSERT



Date Bar Dessert image

MY MOTHER copied this recipe from a Quaker Oats box in the 1950s, and it remains one of our favorite treats today. I serve these date-filled squares as a snack or for dessert topped with a dollop of whipped cream. -Jill McCon, Montrose, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 18 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1-3/4 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter, cubed
2-1/2 cups chopped dates
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Whipped topping

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. , In a large saucepan, combine the dates, sugar and water. Cook for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Stir in walnuts. Spread over crust. , Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares; top with whipped topping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 13g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 244mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (36g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRAMMA'S DATE SQUARES



Gramma's Date Squares image

A date filled bar with a chewy oatmeal crust. This is my grandmother's recipe, which my whole family loves.

Provided by Mai Forrester

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     International Cookie Recipes     Canadian Cookie Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 ½ cups sifted pastry flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup butter, softened
¾ pound pitted dates, diced
1 cup water
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 363.1 calories, Carbohydrate 63.7 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 217.4 mg, Sugar 41.8 g

DARK CHOCOLATE-WALNUT DATE BAR



Dark Chocolate-Walnut Date Bar image

No-bake, vegan, gluten-free-this decadent dessert has a lot going for it. Dark chocolate is layered with a crunchy-chewy mixture of walnuts, dates, and peanut butter in a loaf pan, then finished with more nuts and flaky salt.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon raw unrefined coconut oil, plus more for brushing pan
1 3/4 cups walnut pieces
2 cups chopped dates
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
Flaky sea salt

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.

DATE BARS



Date Bars image

Dessert ready in about an hour! Enjoy classic date filled bars in a new way - a wonderful treat.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups chopped pitted dates (1 lb)
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups all-purpose* or whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Bar, Sodium 85 mg, Sugar 17 g, TransFat 0 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh dates: Fresh dates are softer and have a better flavor than dried dates. If you are using dried dates, soak them in hot water for 30 minutes before using to soften them.
  • Pit the dates: Remove the pit from the dates before using. You can do this by using a sharp knife or a date pitter.
  • Use a food processor: A food processor is the easiest way to make date bars. Simply add all of the ingredients to the food processor and pulse until the mixture is well combined.
  • Press the mixture into a pan: Once the mixture is well combined, press it into a 9x13 inch baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it down firmly.
  • Bake the bars: Bake the date bars at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
  • Let the bars cool: Once the bars are baked, let them cool completely before cutting them into squares.
  • Store the bars: Date bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Date bars are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are made with simple ingredients and can be customized to your liking. Whether you like them chewy, gooey, or crunchy, there is a date bar recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give date bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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