Healthier Date Bars
Updated Jul 14, 2021, Published Aug 26, 2015
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Healthier Date Bars are a twist on a classic that never goes out of style! This updated version is made just a touch healthier!
The inspiration behind this recipe:
I never met my husband’s Grandma Langhoff (aka Viola), but she had to be a pretty special lady. Any woman whose hubby (after they’ve been married for close to a lifetime) hugs her so tightly that her glasses get pushed up has got to be a goddess. I’m told Grandpa Louie was quite the pistol, too.
The first time I had Grandma Langhoff’s date bars, my husband was baking a bunch of things to give to his employees at Christmas.
He’s very good at baking for which I’m grateful because I’m not a big baker.
When my hubby was making the date bars, my quiet (well, maybe not-so-quiet) response was: Eww. I’ve never been a fan of dried fruit. Raisins, prunes and even sun-dried tomatoes give me pause. Fruit cake? Don’t even.
Somehow, though I’ve fallen in love with dates. There were a few pieces of the date bars left after my hubby’s baking extravaganza and I couldn’t stop eating them! I later tried Medjool dates and they tasted like candy to me!
For someone who is not into baking or dessert-making, I love something sweet at the end of a meal. With dates, I can satisfy the craving and think I’m doing something good for myself!
On a recent trip to Costco, I spotted 3-pound bags of organic dried, pitted dates. Time to make Grandma Langhoff’s delicious and chewy date bars!
I can never leave a recipe alone as written. I wanted to update Viola’s date bars and make them more healthful.
How these are more healthy:
- Instead of the regular white sugar Viola used in the date filling, I used coconut sugar which is not as sweet as white sugar and is lower on the glycemic index.
- I kept the brown sugar used in the crust and topping but substituted a cup of whole wheat flour for a cup of white flour.
These Healthier Date Bars are not a total health overhaul, but little changes to your everyday diet go a long way!
Grandma Langhoff chopped the dates by hand because food processors probably weren’t around when she was alive and most certainly they couldn’t afford one if they were around.
Chopping the dates is a sticky exercise but a worthwhile one. Whenever a package states “pitted,” don’t believe it. Be sure to check each one!
More dessert recipes you’re sure to love!
- Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Almonds
- Easy Raspberry Coffee Cake
- Whole Wheat Ancho Chili Brownies
- Grilled Pound Cake with Balsamic-Macerated Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream
- Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Chocolate Avocado Mousse
- Personal Pumpkin Pies
Healthier Date Bars
Ingredients
- 2 pounds unsulfured pitted dates, 5 1/2 to 6 cups, finely chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 2 1/2 cups quick oatmeal
- 2 sticks salted butter, room temperature but not soft
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using the wrappers from the butter, lightly butter a 15 x 11 (approximately) rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
- Combine dates, water and coconut sugar in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 5-7 minutes or until it turns a soft spreadable consistency. Let cool to room temperature.
- Combine oatmeal, butter, flours, brown sugar and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix together with your hands until crumbly.
- Press half the crust mixture firmly into the prepared baking sheet.
- Carefully spread date filling evenly over the bottom crust. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture over the top and lightly press filling on top of the date mixture so it sticks to the filling.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a light golden color.
Notes
- Chopping the dates is a sticky exercise but a worthwhile one.
- Whenever a package states “pitted,” don’t believe it. Be sure to check each one!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Hi Carol, thanks for the recipe , my family and friends loved it ! Love the picture as well, such a cute adorable couple!
I have a doubt.. can the butter in the recipe be subbed with olive oil? if not fully, can I try replacing half the amount of butter with oil?
Thanks again !
Hi, Apoorva, I am really not sure. Coconut oil may work. I may have to whip up a batch and test it! Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed.
Can unchopped dates be cooked down with the water and sugar, THEN pureed down in the food processor? (hand chopping gooey dates is the pits).
Hi Marti, Thanks for your question. My husband tells me that he doesn’t chop them before cooking them down. I do because I want to make sure there are no pits hiding. My husband also thought you could purchase chopped dates. Boy, I sm craving these date bars now! Thanks got reading, let me know how it goes and please stay in touch!
The beautiful picture is of my wonderful parents! Always lots of hugs and many good memories made. Just wanted to comment regarding the recipe – Mom/grandma would use the same crust and would do the filling with apples or cherries. They were equally delicious. She liked to use the cherry filling more for a dessert rather than bars and served with a dollop of Cool Whip on top or small scoop of vanilla ice cream. My mother was a fabulous cook – ask any or her children, son-in-laws or grandkids. Happy cooking ladies!