A Recipe + Date Bars

So, I'm a big fan of dates. They are a great snack, packed with fiber, potassium and magnesium. They are also a great way to satisfy my sweet tooth. I hadn't baked anything in quite sometime, so I decided this weekend it was time. I wanted to bake a dessert that was naturally sweet, with not a ton of added sugar. I had some dates on hand, so date bars it was.

Photo Courtesy

 Recipe: 

Filling

1 1/2 cups chopped, pitted dates (I used the medjool dates- delish)
3/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. sugar

Bars

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter/margarine
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick cook oats
1/4 tsp baking soda
Sprinkle of salt

Directions:

• Put all of the "filling" ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, over low heat. The filling will thicken. Cool for about 5 minutes- the filling will continue to thicken.
• In a bowl, mix all of the "bars" ingredients
• Spread half of your crumb mixture in the bottom of an 8x8 greased pan. Pour the filling on top, then press the remaining crumb mixture on top of the filling.
• Put in a 400 degree oven and bake for about 25 - 30 minutes.

See? Quick and easy. I enjoy eating these while they're warm, or enjoying with a nice cup of coffee. I have been starving by the time I get home from work, and I don't like to eat a full meal before a run. So, eating one of these will hold me over until after my run when I can eat my dinner.