Date Bars

Date Bars

(From The Plant Pure Nation Cookbook – Kim Campbell)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups instant oatmeal
  • 4 tablespoons agave nectar, divided
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 9 tablespoons water, divided
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 pound pitted Medjool dates, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the oatmeal, 3 tablespoons of the agave, applesauce, 4 tablespoons of the water, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. This should have a thick consistency.
  3. Firmly press half the oatmeal mixture into the prepared pan. Reserve the remaining oatmeal crumble for the top.
  4. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the dates, walnuts, remaining 1 tablespoon agave, remaining 5 tablespoons of water, lemon juice and almond extract, stirring constantly until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  5. Spread the thickened date mixture evenly over the oatmeal crumble mixture using a spatula. Top with the remaining oat mixture and press lightly.
  6. Bake until golden brown
  7. Cool thoroughly and cut into 12 bars.

Yields: 12 bars      Cook Time: 30 minutes