Zia Lena’s Date Bars
Zia Lena’s Date Bars are chewy, sweet, and packed with a luscious date filling sandwiched between a buttery oat crust and crumb topping. Perfect for a snack, dessert, or tea-time treat, these bars are both comforting and nostalgic.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (medium & large)
- Whisk
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Saucepan
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- For the Crust & Topping:
- 1 cup 225 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups 190 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups 225 g rolled oats
- 1/2 cup 60 g chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the Date Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups 250 g pitted dates, chopped
- 1/2 cup 120 ml water
- 1/4 cup 50 g brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Date Filling:
- In a small saucepan, combine chopped dates, water, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the dates are soft and the mixture thickens (about 5–7 minutes). Stir in vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Make the Crust & Topping:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, oats, and nuts (if using). Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until crumbly but cohesive.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Press about 2/3 of the oat mixture into the prepared pan to form an even crust. Spread the date filling over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly on top.
- Bake:
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Serve:
- Lift bars from pan using parchment paper, if used, and cut into squares or rectangles.
Servings: 20 servings