Best 7 Grandmas Date Bars Recipes

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When it comes to classic comfort desserts, few treats are as beloved as Grandma's date bars. With their sweet and chewy filling, buttery crust, and irresistible topping, these nostalgic bars are sure to bring a smile to your face. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, finding the best recipe for Grandma's date bars can be a daunting task. In this article, we'll guide you through the key elements to look for in a great recipe, from the perfect balance of ingredients to essential baking tips.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

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

OLD-FASHIONED DATE BARS



Old-Fashioned Date Bars image

Make and share this Old-Fashioned Date Bars recipe from Food.com.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 35m

Yield 24 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, softened
2 1/3 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups pitted dates, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped pecans

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.9, Fat 11.8, SaturatedFat 5.4, Cholesterol 43.6, Sodium 124.5, Carbohydrate 47.5, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 32.7, Protein 3.4

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

GRAN'S DATE BARS



Gran's Date Bars image

This is one of my favorite recipes handed down from my grandmother; hands down it makes the best date bar that I have ever had. Enjoy!

Provided by cherie

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Bar Cookie Recipes

Time 48m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces dates, chopped
½ cup water
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring dates and water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer and stir until thick, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract.
  • Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, walnuts, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add melted butter; mix until blended.
  • Pour 2/3 of the oat mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish, pressing over the bottom and sides. Spread the date mixture over the oats; crumble remaining oat mixture evenly on top. Press down lightly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 264.5 calories, Carbohydrate 38.6 g, Cholesterol 22.9 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 234.4 mg, Sugar 22.5 g

GRANDMA'S DATE BARS



Grandma's Date Bars image

These nicely textured bars are delicious. It's a good recipe for today's diet awareness, because there's no shortening used. My great-grandmother, who was born in 1868, made these bars, and the recipe has come down through the generations. Now my children are making them. -Marilyn Reid, Cherry Creek, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 eggs, beaten
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 169 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 111mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRANDMA'S DATE SQUARES



Grandma's Date Squares image

Make and share this Grandma's Date Squares recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Stacey Dee

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 40m

Yield 9 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 lb dates (chopped fine)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water

Steps:

  • Mix: oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, baking soda and salt then press on bottom of 8x8 pan.
  • Boil: dates, sugar and water until thick.
  • Bake 20-30 minutes in 375 F oven.
  • Cool before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.4, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 9.9, Cholesterol 40.7, Sodium 325, Carbohydrate 91.4, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 62, Protein 5.5

GRANDMA'S OATMEAL BARS



Grandma's Oatmeal Bars image

While I was growing up, I enjoyed my grandma's oatmeal bars every Christmas. This recipe reminds me of her and Christmastime as a child. And now I fix the bars for my family. -Nancy Hawkins, Brookville, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound pitted dates, quartered
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup shortening
Whipped cream, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, combine dates, water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened and dates are tender, stirring constantly, 7-9 minutes. Remove from heat., In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, vanilla, baking soda, salt and almond extract. Cut in shortening until crumbly. Press half onto bottom of a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread with date mixture. , Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over filling; press down gently. Bake until lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 79mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose ripe and soft dates for a rich and flavorful taste.
  • To easily remove the pits from the dates, slice them lengthwise and gently squeeze the pit out.
  • If you don't have a food processor, finely chop the dates by hand using a sharp knife.
  • Make sure the butter and sugar are at room temperature before creaming them together. This will help to create a smooth and creamy mixture.
  • Don't overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough and dense texture.
  • Line the baking pan with parchment paper to prevent the bars from sticking.
  • Bake the bars until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares.
  • Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Grandma's Date Bars are a delicious and nostalgic treat that is perfect for any occasion. With their chewy texture, sweet and nutty flavor, and simple ingredients, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat to enjoy, give Grandma's Date Bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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