An oatmeal bar cookie with lots of date filling, this is a favorite family recipe.
Preparation Time
15 mins
Cooking Time
40 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Calories
307 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
Heat dates, 2/3 cup brown sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a saucepan over low heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until dates have softened, absorbed the liquid, and mixture is like a paste, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract.
Step 3
Stir oats, flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl; cut in butter with a knife or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4
Lightly press 2/3 of the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9x9-inch pan. Spread date mixture evenly over the crumb crust; sprinkle remaining crumbs evenly over the top of date mixture.
Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden, about 30 minutes; cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars.
