Delicious and Healthy Gran's Date Bars

Gran's Date Bars are a classic American dessert that combines the sweetness of dates with the richness of oats. These bars are not only delicious, but also packed with healthy nutrients from the dates and whole oats. Enjoy them as a snack or a dessert, and indulge in the taste of tradition.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
2. In a saucepan, combine the dates, water, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the dates are soft and the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
4. Add the softened butter to the flour mixture and mix until crumbly.
5. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the greased baking dish to form an even layer.
6. Spread the cooled date mixture over the crust in the baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts evenly over the date mixture, if desired.
8. Crumble the remaining flour mixture over the top of the date and walnut layer.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into bars.
11. Serve and enjoy!

Interesting Facts