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Monday, September 27, 2010

Delicious Date Bars

Date Bars 10

Hello Dearies! I really should be doing other things right now like packing boxes (smile), however, I wanted to quickly post these wonderful date bars. This label of 'wonderful' is not only granted due to the deliciousness of these bars but because of their healthful qualities. Plus, they are so easy to make! Cauldron Boy has already requested another batch, but he's going to have to wait on that one for at least a day or two, as we are at least supposed to be packing for our move;)



















Here's the recipe:

Delicious Date Bars-Makes 9 Bars
1 Cup Dates (packed)
3 Tbsp. Honey
3/4 Cup Water
1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon
Pinch of Cloves

3/4 Cup Organic Spelt Flour
3/4 Cup Organic Rolled Oats (not instant)
1/4 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/8 Tsp. Sea Salt
1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/8 Tsp. Cloves
4 Tbsp. Earth Balance or Organic Butter
3 1/4 Tbsp. Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup*
*Honey will not work here, as it is too thick.

Preheat the oven to 395 degrees & grease an 8 by 8 inch Pyrex baking dish.

In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, salt, powder, and spices-mix. Work the cold butter in with your hands till it looks like you have a pea like texture. Add the agave nectar and stir with a fork-the liquidity of the nectar or syrup will moisten the mixture enough for it to press out nicely. Take a little over half of the mixture and spread it out evenly in the bottom of your greased pan. Press down with your hands. Keep the rest of the crumble mix set aside in the bowl.

In a small pan or pot (not a medium or large one, as your water will steam off too quickly), place the water, dates, and honey. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir and bring the heat down to a low simmer. Use a wooden spoon to break down the dates while stirring for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat. Note: do not over cook or your dates won't spread. You want this concoction to look like a moist date frosting.

Dollop the date spread over the pressed crust in your pan and smooth it out evenly with a wet icing spatula. Now take the rest of the crumb mix and spread it over the pan. Lightly pat it to make sure it sticks to the date layer below. Place in the oven and cook for 15-17 minutes or until golden.

Allow to cool for at least a couple of hours on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!


52 comments:

  1. I love dates and these are a perfect autumnal treat! Love your blog, btw.

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  2. Delicious-looking, as usual. Dates seem to be one of the unsung heroes of the baking world.

    Good luck packing for....Hawaii?! :D

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  3. Stella! These bars look great! I went to the market the other day in Vancouver and saw some dates but didn't know what to do with them...
    These sound like a treat. No wonder why Cauldron Boy asked for another batch!

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  4. Now your just teasing me with these little date numbers, it'd go pretty darn good with my coffee just now too.

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  5. Stella! not a problem at all. I use Nikon D3000. The lens come with it. My friend told me when I'm better, I should get another lens. The new lens is better than canon and cheaper.
    Good luck with the move! It's fun haha j/k. it's no fun.

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  6. These look so good! We've been wanting to make date squares for a while now....We just might have to try these out!

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  7. Ooooo-those do look delicious! Hope your move is quick and peaceful!

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  8. HELLO STELLA!

    How super exciting that you're moving! I love moving, I just hate the packing haha. Unpacking isn't as bad, but the packing is the worse. Hope you can get it done with as less pain as possible.

    These date bars sound really awesome Stella! I used to have really cold hands and feet all the time and my mom would make me eat dates and drink date tea/water (I don't know the proper term). She said it helps replenish red blood cells and the blood circulating better. I was too young to care to google it, but I'd have to say, I think it actually helped. I would love to feed these bars to my kiddies. These are definitely a great healthy treat!

    Good luck with the move Stella!

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  9. Oops, I am guilty of instant rolled oats (oatmeal)! I can't make this. But I can "date" you?

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  10. i've never had date bars before but i can only imagine how yummy these are!

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  11. Your date bars look so much better than any pre-made energy bar or breakfast bar. I'll bet they would be the perfect snack to take on a long hike.

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  12. Gosh, this recipe is delicious. Imagine biting into a slice and encountering that layer of mushed up dates - I'm drooling embarrassingly at the moment!

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  13. Your date bars look like a perfect grab n' go energy bar while moving. Awesome.

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  14. You're procastinating! I would too. Moving is stressful. I love dates. I'm bookmarking this recipe. Thanks.

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  15. I've never used spelt flour but I do love spelt tortillas and bread. Can spelt flour be used the same as whole wheat pastry flour?

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  16. Oh, what a perfect snack! I'm never quite sure what to do with dates. We do have fresh dates available around here but I've never baked anything with them. I'll definitely save this recipe and give it a try!

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  17. Good luck on your move, it's so much work but I'm sure it will be worth all your troubles;) I am a long time date bar lover and I like your delicious but healthier version, I will save this to try, thanks Stella!

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  18. Dates intimate me, but when I eat it, it's a delicious treat.

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  19. I love dates in bakes. I've just made an apple cake yesterday with dates...very moist and delicious. I love your bars...looks very delicious. I must keep this to try one day. Thanks very much for sharing.

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  20. I like dates...and they are good for women. Lots of Turkish dates in the stores here, unfortunately I find them just too damn sweet to eat as they are, but would be really great in baking.
    These bars look very tasty!
    Angie

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  21. UGH how I HATE packing! Good luck with everything!

    These date bars look so scrumptious. I love how dates are natural sweeteners...and so good for you too!

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  22. These bars look amazing - and healthy! :) LeQuanis, I had no idea dates were a natural remedy used to improve blood circulation? This gives me a good excuse to eat more of them and make these bars (my fingers and toes are always ice cold, even in the summer). ;)

    Good luck with the move, Stella - I hope everyting will go smoothly! :)

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  23. I love dates but usually just eat them out of hand. I will have to put these on my list, they look and sound amazing.

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  24. Hurray for yummy date bars and you taking a bit of a packing break. They look wonderful. It's always so nice to come here for a healthy snack break! xo

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  25. Yummy! Good luck packing and with the move. Hope all goes smoothly :-)

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  26. You'd rather be baking than packing...a girl after my own heart. I do love date squares and yours look perfect. I may have to make these, although I know they will be a bit high on the blood sugar meter for me, but I could sneak them in!

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  27. Stella...this is perfect timing because just the other day I was asking my Mom where Grandma's favorite date square recipe was...and still haven't found it. I guess I'll have to start a tradition of my own...and your recipe is a great take off point ;o)

    Here's wishing you a successful move.
    Ciao,
    Claudia

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  28. Oh how I love dates! I make date muffins but I've never attempted date squares...thanks for the great recipe. The fact that these are gluten-free makes this absolutely perfect.

    I hope the moving is going well!! The promise of another batch of these should get Cauldron Boy moving. :)

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  29. Stella
    when you said date and bars in the same sentence it brought back so many memories....sigh.....seriously, your date bars do look really really good....cauldron boy is so lucky to have you to take care of him and see he eats right! Its so funny that I have all the ingredients in my pantry now...most are sitting there just looking at me accusinly when I open the door....I do have to start using them..the first step was buying them, now I need to move on....
    Speaking of moving, I hope its going well and is not too traumatic....I hate moving....sigh, I think only one left in my future and that should be about 10years off....adult community hear I come...lol
    take care my friend!

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  30. These look amazing Stella! I could see why Cauldron boy wants seconds. Good luck with the move!

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  31. I love dates! These looks so good, Stella!

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  32. Oh my sweet date! How I love thee!! :)

    I have everything for this, except for the spelt flour - have to get off my behind and go looking for it! Love that this is loaded with stuff both delicious AND nutritious like my other beloved, oats!

    Good luck with the move sweetie. I actually like moving house - exhausting but kinda exciting too! I love new beginnings :)

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  33. Hm, those look delicious. There's a farmer's market that is super-close to my place...and a guy that specializes in dates only is there every other weekend. I may have to pick up some dates this Sunday :)
    Re: your comment about cameras...I use a Nikon D80 (and about two months after I got it, it was replaced by the D90). Its an digital SLR, and its the first camera I've ever owned, actually...and I think its fairly easy to use.

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  34. Exactly how do you have the strenght to pack and post? Oh must be these fab date bars..Gosh I would be on my back right now, dead from exhaustion...I love these and they would be perfect for fall with a nice cup of tea, I have so many of your recipes bookmarked, I had to make a folder entitled "witchy."
    ps, oh yes we have many wineries here in Texas, I hope to consume many bottles this month for texas wine month..lol
    Pss. yesterday I went to call my sis using chuls cell phone, and noticed she has your blog on her fav links ...too funny
    sweetlife

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  35. Love date squares and have not made them in a very long time. I can't believe you are still baking.
    Take good care,
    Rita

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  36. Stella, I don't know where you're going? Somehow I missed that? It isn's out of the country? Sounds like you're going to have a great garden...with place for herbs, veggies?
    I love dates and they don't stay long enough to make something with them, I gobble them up with almonds long before theyr get to a recipe, but true...they look so wonderful here in your bars! good luck with the packing!
    bisous
    Ronelle x

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  37. Glad you took time out from packing to give us this gem of a recipe, Stella!

    Don't do too much lifting; years ago I was carrying boxes of books in a move and injured my shoulder. Now, 30 years later, that shoulder is a wreck!

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  38. Stella these yummies look really wonderful, thanks for sharing us, xx gloria

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  39. Your date bars looks delish!! Will try to make them soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  40. I saw these when you posted them but I didn't have the time and then I forgot to comment!

    Anywho, these look marvelous and this recipe is definitely one of the best I've seen for date bars. :) Can't wait to try them!

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  41. Oh how yummy. I love dates - super healthy, filling, and definitely satisfies my sweet tooth! :)

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  42. I love dates! And I love that your bars are sweetened without sugar. Yum!

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  43. Yum! These date bars sound so good! Need to make them for sure!

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  44. You and I are on the same page again. I have been experimenting with other date-based recipes too. After those yummy date balls/bon bons, I have tried a few other similar recipes. I like the idea of using dates instead of so much refined sugar. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule for this recipe. It's SO appreciated!

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  45. These sound so wonderful! I love anything with dates...especially date bars! I might have to whip up a batch ;)!

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  46. woow woow.. it is sooooooooooo great, although i m not so into dessert and sweet , i loved it:)

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  47. OMG I LOVE DATES! I have had to limit buying them to only once a week otherwise I'd eat myself stupid 'cos I have no control when it comes to plump luscious dates :-) This recipe sounds too good!

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  48. Definitely the healthier side of sweet :) I will give these a try, dates and maple syrup sound like a tasty combination. For some reason dates are never on my grocery list, but I just added them!

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  49. I just made these Stella.... YUM!! They were a little crumbly because I replace half of the oats with crushed slivered almonds but still so tasty :)
    (I'm glad I have leftover over dates to make them again next weekend!

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  50. This is yummy!

    The 2 feet of snow outside in need of shoveling was discouraging so I decided to go to the oven instead. A good compliment to a lazy snow day of napping, surfing the web and TV watching. =)

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Please do comment, Dearies!