Oatmeal and Date Bars offer a delightful combination of wholesome ingredients that make for a tasty snack or breakfast treat. With their chewy texture and naturally sweet flavor, the bars are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth while still feeling good about what you eat.
If you want to switch things up a bit, feel free to substitute the sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile. Those with nut allergies can use a neutral oil instead of peanut oil. Checking your dates for freshness is always a good idea; they should be soft and moist for the best results in the bars.
Brownies & Bars
Oatmeal and Date Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/8 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
- 1 1/2 cups large-flake rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 1/4 cup skim milk powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup dates, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of molasses, 1/8 cup of vegetable oil, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon of maple extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Next, stir in 1 1/2 cups of large-flake rolled oats, 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup of wheat germ, 1/4 cup of skim milk powder, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda; mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Fold in 1/3 cup of chopped dates until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Press the batter firmly into the dish, making sure it’s evenly spread.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the bars feel firm to the touch.
- Once baked, let the bars cool slightly before cutting them into squares while still warm. The will make cutting easier and help keep the bars together.
Part of our Brownie and Bar Recipes collection — Part 4 of 4:
If you’re on the hunt for a rich chocolaty treat, consider trying Old Fashioned Brownies. The brownies are decadently delicious and offer a perfect blend of flavors that will surely satisfy any chocolate craving.