Date Bars

Name: Date Bars
Ingredients: Crust; 1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix (or use white cake mix, yellow is better!); 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal; 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 pinch cinnamon; 1/4 cup melted butter; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 1 egg, slightly beaten; 1 teaspoon vanilla; DATE FILLING; 2 (600 g) packages pitted dates, chopped (about 2-1/4 pounds); 3/4 cup white sugar (you can use half white and light brown sugar); 1 cup water; 1 cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon maple extract

17 ingredients

10 steps

Ingredients

Crust
1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix (or use white cake mix, yellow is better!)
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 pinch cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
DATE FILLING
2 (600 g) packages pitted dates, chopped (about 2-1/4 pounds)
3/4 cup white sugar (you can use half white and light brown sugar)
1 cup water
1 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple extract

Directions

1

Set oven to 350 degrees.
2

Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
3

For the date filling; in a saucepan combine chopped dates, sugar, water and orange juice, bring to a boil and cook, stirring with wooden spoon over medium-low heat until mixture is thickened, pushing down with a fork or a potato masher to remove the large chunks and make the mixture semi-smooth, cooking time should take about 15-20 minutes)set aside.
4

For the crust; in a large bowl combine the cake mix with oatmeal, cinnamon and brown sugar.
5

In a small bowl whisk together melted butter with egg and vanilla; add to the flour mixture; using clean hands mix with fingers until the mixture barely holds together.
6

Measure out two-thirds of the mixture and pat into the bottom of prepared baking dish, pressing down with hands to cover evenly.
7

Carefully spread the prepared date mixture over the bottom crust, spreading out to cover the pan.
8

Cover the top with remaining oat mixture and gently pat the mixture down slightly with hands (do not pat down to much!).
9

Bake for about 20 minutes (the top should be very light brown).
10

Cool completely or semi-freeze before cutting (this will make slicing the bars easier).